I’ve been recuperating from surgery and, believe me, it takes a lot of perseverance. I long to be 100% better, but recovery comes in small doses. It’s so gradual I can hardly recognize any change from day to day. I wish I could manufacture a little more patience. I admit I’m not known for a high patience quotient. I got to wondering how other people manage to persevere.
Look at this. It came from a blog written by William Biddle
Abraham Lincoln’s perseverance
1816, He had to work to support his family after they were forced out of their home.
1818, His mother died.
1831, Failed in business.
1832, Was defeated for legislature.
1832, Lost his job and couldn’t get into law school.
1833, Declared bankruptcy & spent the next 17 years of his life paying off the money he borrowed from friends to start his business.
1834, Was defeated for legislature again.
1835, Was engaged to be married, but his sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
1836, Had a nervous breakdown and spent the next six months in bed.
1838, Was defeated in becoming the speaker of the state legislature.
1840, Was defeated in becoming elector.
1843, Was defeated for Congress
1846, Was Defeated For Congress.
1848, Was defeated for Congress again.
1849, Was rejected for the job of land officer in his home state.
1854, Was defeated for Senate.
1856, Was defeated for Vice-President — got less than 100 votes.
1858, Was defeated for Senate for the third time.
1860, Was elected president of the United States.
Then there’s Louis Pasteur. He said, “Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”
So, alright. I guess I’ll try to persevere. Here’s one more example of perseverance. I know you’ll enjoy this one.
A small boy is sent to bed by his father. Five minutes later, he calls, “Da-aad.”
“What?”
“I’m thirsty. Can I have a drink of water?”
“No.”
Five minutes later, he calls again. “Da-aaaad.”
“What?”
“I’m thirsty.”
“I told you, no water. If you ask again, I’ll have to spank you.”
Five minutes later. “Da-aaaaaad. When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?”
Well, that’s perseverance for you. It comes in all sizes.
If you are following my Chinese Zodiac articles, here are two more. Year of the Snake and Year of the Horse
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I appreciate your perservance. I am director of 3 senior citizen centers and see it every day. Some of my seniors have so much pain – yet come in with a smile and are just happy to be alive. Keep on plugging. It will pay off. I willk remember you in my prayers.
Betsy, at last someone who really understands what I’m going through. I’m thinking there must be light at the end of the tunnel. It’s just taking me a long time to get there. I’m still hurting, waiting to feel somewhat better. I’m hangin’ in, though. Thanks for the prayers.
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