Perseverance

There comes a time in some people's lives when they are faced with something that seems impossible to get through. No matter what the something is you are left with two choices, give up or keep going. The choice is yours and yours alone. You can consider all the pros and cons of each option. You can debate about it until you are blue in the face, but you still have to choose if you are going to quit or persevere.

There is a song by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones called Tragedy that has some interesting things to think about these types of situations. While the entire song is really relevant to this discussion, the line that really gets me is this one.

"Have you ever felt the odds stacked up so high, you need a strength most don't possess?
Or has it come down to do or die? You've got to rise above the rest."

One of our former presidents has this to say.

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."  -John Quincy Adams

Which seems to line up with another president.

“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.”  -George Washington 

There is a famous line in a rather famous book that really sums it up.

“Nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. Remember that.” - Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

Nicholas Sparks had it exactly right. Most of the greatest things a person can do with their life are also the hardest. Raising children comes to mind. My kids are probably the biggest contribution I will ever give this world and yet helping raise them is also the hardest thing I will ever do. With all the possible ways I could go wrong and so few ways I could get it right. With all the worry, frustration, aggravation, blind protectiveness, compassion, love, and joy that comes with being a father. It's really a wonder that any kids grow up to be kind and caring adults.

The average person can handle everything life gives them, even though many of them think it's hard. Few of us have had an experience that really pushes us to our limits. Where the only thing keeping you going is your will to survive. The single minded dedication to accomplish one seemingly impossible task just to get past it and see another seemingly impossible task waiting. Like being lost in a forest alone and afraid. Climbing the mountain to get back to safety and when you finally reach the peak seeing another taller mountain blocking your path. The average person never has to deal with anything remotely like that. To those few of you that have, I congratulate you. Well done.

The average person will never know what that kind of struggle is really like. Though for some people a seemingly simple task of leaving their house, going to school, or even just talking to people is an impossible task. These people suffer from anxiety of one kind or another. Their everyday lives take just as much courage and strength to make it through a day, and they do it every day. Many people live like that their entire lives. My heart goes out to you and I applaud you.

Rather you suffer from anxiety, are facing an impossible task, or fighting just to stay alive. There is only one real way to handle it. One step at a time. Break it all down into steps that are manageable. Don't worry so much about the big picture. Focus on what you are doing right now. Once you are done, move on to the next thing. If you just keep going one step at a time eventually you will find yourself at the end. Like Dory on Finding Nemo said.

 "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming"

I might just be some nobody named Rug that you have never heard of, but that's what I think.

"just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming"