Allegheny Forest Land (sold)
"One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks." ~~ Jack Penn
" You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." ~~ Beverly Sills
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." ~~ Mauriel Strode
All the quotes above say it like it is. They are a pretty good guideline toward artistic, or any type of achievement. Plus, "persistence" is the key word, the key action and the strategy toward achievement.
There is nothing that will take the place of persistence, not even talent. When you think of education, think also of the many who are educated, but do nothing because they lack the persistence and determination. Even a genius will not achieve without persistence. Persistence is pretty powerful. Calvin Coolidge said, "Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." In all we set out to achieve, we need persistence. We can't give up.
To get further along, to achieve, we must risk. We will never know how far we can go without taking the risks. A Mountain Climber comes to my mind right now. Persistence, determination and taking that risk gets them to the top.
No one said it would be easy, but maybe, just maybe, once we get going, it turns out to be easier than what we thought it would. We get caught up in the momentum once we are moving. Sure, it is much easier to go down that mountain than to go up, but think of the view we would miss out on at the top...and that feeling of achievement. "Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go." ~~ William Feather
Achievement Examples...Three who were persistent and never gave up.
The following three successful men became inspirations and motivated others toward achievements. They were just regular men who had dreams and pursued those dreams.
**I read that Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for lacking ideas. Can you imagine that?! He also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland. He was amazingly persistent and determined in reaching his goal, even when others tried to discourage him.
**Another well-known and beloved person was Dick Clark. We don't usually stop to wonder how these people achieved what they had in mind to do, despite all the adversity that came their way. When Dick Clarks older brother was killed during WWII, he withdrew into a shell, so depressed he became. He felt all was hopeless at first. To ease his pain, he began listening to the songs on the radio. From that he began to dream about hosting his own radio show. Well, I think everyone knows the results of that dream. From that dream came the beginning of American Bandstand.
**Then Ray Kroc who built McDonald's did not sell his first hamburger till he was 52 years of age. McDonald's was once only a handful of hamburger stands. In the beginning, Ray Kroc was unsuccessful as a marketer of restaurant equipment. He built what is probably the most successful fast food restaurant in the world today.
A good quote.... "If you think you're too small to make a difference, you haven't been in bed with a mosquito." ~~ Anita Roddick
The above three men made a difference in the world. You do have the capacity to choose what you want to do to make a difference.
I doubt if these men thought much about the difference they would make in the world, but they did it through persistence and determination. Their main thoughts were just TO DO WHAT THEY LOVED and BE WHO THEY WERE with persistence, determination and patience. It also took courage to pursue and achieve their dreams. You are the only one who can use your own unique God-given ability and make a difference.
It is best not to feel anxious about your wants, desires or needs...whatever you want to call them. When you ONLY think about those wants, desires or needs, you get bogged down. If you read the life stories of Walt Disney, Dick Clark, and Ray Kroc , you will realize they achieved at a sensible and regular pace, and not at a rush, rush, rush hurry-up pace.
It happened gradually with thankfulness, through their persistence, determination, patience and faith. You will also realize they did not base their life on other people's expectations.
Had Walt Disney listened to and believed someone else's opinion of him, there would probably never have been a Disneyland. They each made their own path and left a trail. When opportunity didn't knock, they built their own door. When they fell, they got back up.
Yes, you want to set your sights before and while climbing that mountain, but you don't want to chase it. Chasing it will cause mistakes and loss. You need a break...to relax also. Have patience. It will help you focus better on achievement. It is like the quote about the butterfly. "Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you (also) turn your attention to other things, it comes softly and sits on your shoulder." When we achieve, it makes us happy.
Persistence and determination is being willing to row the boat when there is no wind.
Perhaps if we keep an open mind and use it toward making those achievements in our life, we will get further. And, especially not let others drag us away from our creative ideas. Those people do not have our mind. They have their own mind to attend to.
Feel your own empowerment. Do not allow them to empower you.
Thank you for reading.
Artfully yours,
Sandy
