Persistence

Hope is the fuel of persistence and there is no time limit on that commodity. Whatever the challenge, never giving up hope no matter how dark the sky, can yield wonderful results.

            A man I know who is now in his late 60s had a stroke a few years back. Doctors said they were not optimistic about his chances of even partially regaining his previous physical ability. His children wanted to have him institutionalized, but while everyone around him could only see the dreary future ahead for him, he set out to prove them wrong.

            He held firm in his belief that he could conquer the latest hurdle life had placed in his path, and began a program to make his body relearn what it seemed to have been forced to forget. He never lost sight of his goal even when his efforts appeared to be an exercise in frustration.

            At first, there was little indication that he would ever improve, yet he always made it a point to celebrate even the smallest of victories. It fueled his hope and his desire to persist.

            Today, anyone seeing this man for the first time would not believe how dismal his physical condition was just a short time ago. He dared to attempt the impossible by believing that there always is a glimmer of hope whatever the current problem. He persisted in taking very small and painfully slow steps and today he rejoices in running.

            Those who persist, no matter the goal or the task, are winners. They have learned to make positivity the fuel that guides them. They’re easy to spot. They’re always looking for the best in people and in life.