Life Is Tough; So Be Tougher!

The Mighty Oak

"The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground."  -Unknown

During the early years of America, people rushed westward to find the pieces of rock we call gold in hopes of  striking it big and then living a life of ease.  Unfortunately, neither gold nor ease were readily available.  At least not with out hard work and perseverance.  To this end, a story is told of an old man who had worked most of life trying to find that all elusive gold.  He, being tired of working so hard and coming up empty, decided to quit.  He sold his property for a small amount and lived meagerly off the earnings.  The story doesn't end there.  A day after the sale was finalized, the new owner struck it rich on that same property.  It turns out the old man was only a foot from obtaining that which he sought for if only he had persevered.  Please do not misunderstand me; I'm not glorifying riches but perseverance. 

Many times that is the way life is; victory is usually just inches away if only we will keep going.  Albert Einstein said, "it's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."  An unknown author also said, "Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock."  Unfortunately, that's usually the way it is; perseverance usually rewards us with success.  What is it that you're ready to throw in the towel on?  If it's worth living for, it's worth dying for.  Is it your marriage, your children or a relationship with family members?   Persevere my friend.  Be 100% committed and burn all bridges so as not to go backwards.  It was common practice of good commanders, during a siege of a city in the Middle Ages, to burn their ships down so as not to give their men a method of retreat.  It was a "succeed or die trying" mentality.  You can imagine the determination these men fought with.  I guess you could say they were committed.  That's the kind of commitment we need today!  When you stand at the altar, hand in hand with your spouse to be, you are making a life long commitment with that person.  As a side note, commitment is honoring what you said you would do at all costs aside from "feelings."  I say that because we live in a day where people want to dissolve their commitments on the basis of feelings. "You can't stop a man who won't quit."  -Dr. Bob Jones Sr.

Remember, anything worth while is worth the trial.  If you want to succeed in a given area, pay the price.  You'll reach the end if you do not quit!