Persistence, Patience, Practice and Perseverance: Progress, Revisited 4/30/12

  The Angel Oak on Johns Island in South Carolina.  The oldest oak

 tree east of Mississippi.  It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful.

  It's 1500 years old.  It's 65 feet tall, over 6 stories.  The crown 

 covers 17,000 square feet. Its longest limb is 89 feet long. It's main-

  tained by the city of Charleston.  This tree grew from one little

  acorn.  Here's to our growth.

         How are you?
I hope your week has started out well for you. I had a ter-rific day today. It was a day off.  I had time to process sev-
eral things swirling around in my life, most of them good.

          The best part of the day was con-versations with each of my three sons. We are going to have fun in a few days, and I can't wait.

         I heard disappointing news from one of my sons. I didn't react, and I calmly accepted what he said.

          A few minutes later, he came to me, telling me he had changed his mind.  He apologized, and he wants to improve his relationship with me.

          I said nothing to prompt his decision, and it just goes to show what happens when we take ourselves out of the equation, trusting God for the results.

                   ***********************************
Patience Towards Our Progress

         Today, I'm leaving several quotes. May they help us maintain an Attitude of Gratitude. Availing ourselves to God daily, seeking  His will, helps our patience grow, and immediate results are no longer our focus.

         I've discovered that life, like the growing oak tree referred to in the quote below---and pictured above---is a matter of many mini successes.  Like stalactites found hanging from cave tops, successes build up over time, and tiny victories demonstrate growth developing within.

        Progress doesn't look like much on any given day; growth is slow.  However, over time, it happens.  Continued victories are assured when we practice discipline in areas where we desire success.

"Success depends not merely in how well we do the things we enjoy, but in how conscientiously we perform those duties that we don't." 

John Maxwell, Developing the Leader Within You

Placing Principles Over Unhealthy Habits

            Exercising regularly, refraining from seductive junk food, and rejecting rationalizations that justify harmful behavior, and saving our money may not be fun for many.  Eating unhealthily is tempting.  Many of us love indulging in greasy hamburgers, french fries, ice cream, piz-za, and potato chips.
       
           We know it's best not to eat them if we want better health and longevity, and it's better choosing health and vitality over the tempor-ary pleasure of unhealthy appetites.

           In the same way, placing principles above self-damaging habits promotes growth. Our character gets better, we experience the begin-nings of thriving.  Yes, we'll slip on occasion.  Developing and maintain-ing a healthy pattern of living requires patience.

"I need not judge the rate at which I change old habits or ways of thinking.If I'm uncomfortable with old behavior, then on some level I am alread-y moving toward changing it. Change will not be effective unless I am ready for it.  I need only  trust that, when the time comes to move forward, I will know it."      

      Courage to Change, p 221 

"Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed. Let me look upward unto the towering oak and remember it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well."

                                   Orin Crane

Gentleness Helps
        Being gentle towards ourselves helps. When we engage in less than best habits, we simply forgive ourselves.  It doesn't help to kick ourselves:

"Condemning my imperfections has never enhanced my appreciation of life nor has it allowed me to love myself more." 

    Courage, p 19

Re-engaging healthy principles is preferred. (It's time to put those kicking boots away, and for more on that, please click here.) They allow us to become our better selves and move on.

      Have a great, gracious, patient-with-yourself, characterologically growing, grateful day,

So, How About You?
1.  What helps you be patient when you don't see the results you want right away? 
2.  Recently, what are healthy principles you've been applying in your life? For me, I've been exercising more, a lot more. I've been walking, hiking, biking, and NOT using my car.  I've been doing this now for the past four months. 
3.  As always, I love hearing your gratitude. What are three you have for this day?
Another related post:

Perseverance click here.