Growth or Accomplishment Requires Effort: Life-Long Character Traits Don't Change With Minimal Effort .... ..................3/13/12

In the confrontation between the stream and the rock,
 the stream always wins–not through strength but by 
perseverance.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

     Today is a special day.  It's the one year anniversary of the opening of the inn's doors. The inn was open for busi-ness at 10:30 p.m. on this day, so I'm a little ahead of my-self.

"If someone asks for one character quality that is the cornerstone for success, I would say perseverance.  Being great athletes, par-ents, leaders or achieving anything else---including losing weight, reducing clutter or getting our finances in order---is about a willingness to persist in the face of challenges. We want to use these opportunities as a means to exercise our commitment towards whatever goals we seek.

"Expecting the road to success to be a cakewalk leads to disap-pointment. No one is immune to the obstacles life presents. However, we hold the power to choose what we do with what-ever challenge we face.

"So, how about you?  Do you persist when times are tough?  Do you pause to assess the obstacle? 

"Do you view your situation positively, that what you face is an opportunity that leads to growth and fulfillment? This is where a positive attitude is critical. [Click here, for more about this.] We live in a society of instant gratification. 

"Many of us treat our goals in the same manner. We may expect instant mastery, flawless performances. We may want overnight success.  

"The truth is, our character and potential are determined by how we deal with the obstacles we face.  It is in these moments that we can take it one step at a time, towards the fruition of our dreams. "      Beth Allen

And this:

When nothing seems to help, I look at a stonecut-ter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it.  Yet at the hundred and first blow it may split in two. I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.        Jacob Riis

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How about you? 

1. What helps you to persevere, when you want to give up on a project, relationship, job or dream?  

2. What do you find as a source of strength, during stressful times? 

3. What quotes or principles spur you on, when you want to give up? 

I'd love hearing your response to this post.