"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do--not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do so is increased."--Ralph Waldo Emerson
This saying was one of my father's favorites. When I would complain that a class in school was too hard, he would remind me to keep practicing, to keep learning. Many years have passed, but I still remember my father quoting Emerson, its counsel seeing me through things when I want to give up.
Writing is a prime example of that. I've been writing "professionally" for more than thirty years. My successes have not taken the literary world by storm. In fact, I remain quite obscure. But even though my fame has not grown, I like to believe that my talent has. Not because I possessed great talent, but because I persisted.
History is full of examples of people who refused to give up. Thomas Edison performed over a thousand failed experiments before finally inventing the incandescent light bulb. Despite being deaf and blind since childhood, Hellen Keller wenton to become a great writer, speaker, and plitical activist. Abraham Lincoln, arguably America's greatest president, endured a mental breakdown, lost several elections, and failed in business before becoming President of the United States of America.
Where would our country, our world, be without these persistent people?
Joy for today: persisting. And keeping on persisting.
What an absolutely fabulous quote. Grandpa was such an awesome man. Persistence is so important -- without it, I'm afraid many of would not accomplish nearly as much.
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