Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Perseverence


Have you been watching the Olympics?  Have you heard the incredible stories of some of the Olympians?  Have you thought about what it takes to even make it to the Olympics?  I've been watching and hearing the stories and have been so inspired by the athletes.

There's not a single athletic bone in my body, but that's okay because a gold medal isn't one of my goals!  My goal is to have a thriving business doing what I love....sewing.  The athlete and I will go about reaching our goals in completely different ways, but I've learned from them what is needed most to get there.  We need commitment, determination, focus, motivation, self-discipline and perseverence among other things.

I've been surprised at the number of athletes who have been critically injured during training and yet came to the Olympics, competed and won a medal.  Many of them competing despite not being completely healed and still in pain.  There are athletes who have lost loved ones not only last year but during this past week.  Yet they went on to compete.  Like I said, I am so inspired by them.  They didn't give up.  Despite the life changing circumstances, they kept going, they persevered.

I was discouraged this past week but I haven't given up on my dream.  I may get sidetracked along the way sometimes but I know where I'm going and where I want to end up.  Today's words of wisdom are about perseverence.

The rewards for those who persevere far exceed the pain that must precede the victory.  
 ~Ted W. Engstrom

 What or who inspires you?  What will it take for you to reach your goals?

10 comments:

  1. I've really enjoyed watching the Olympics, as usual. The stories are so inspiring and the athletes so incredible. Hang in there with your dream. You can do it!

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  2. We've been watching the Olympics too. It will be tough to get back to boring TV once they are over :)

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  3. Everytime I see an athlete come back to competition after a devastating injury, it makes me very ashamed of the times I complained about silly things like not working in my studio because of a headache or something equally insignificant .

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  4. Your words of wisdom hit home with me. So many times I wonder why I am doing this when the rewards are not yet here, and then I remember my original goals were not all monetary in nature. Then, feeling slightly ashamed, I go back to what I enjoy and am learning to do well.

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  5. I love the Olympics and watch as many events as I can, and when a national anthem plays for a gold winner (whatever the country) I get chills.

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  6. I have been watching as well (hard not to when they are in my home town). We just went to the medals ceremony yesterday.. so am posting pics tomorrow! It was really cool!

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  7. Great article you wrote. I totally agree with you. When you see the determination and the struggles they have to go through, it makes you realize you can apply that to "non-athletic" hobbies and jobs in the same way.

    I just blogged about Shaun White yesterday, I was lucky enough to get to meet him. Check it out if you like:

    http://islanddreamlife.blogspot.com/2010/02/gold-medal-olympic-champion-shaun-white.html

    Love your Words Of Wisdom!! And NEVER give up on your dream!!

    ALoha!

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  8. The Olympics ARE so incredibly inspiring. They make me feel like a slacker. But I'll keep trying and trying ... and trying. What inspires me? The innate desire to be more than I am. What will it take? Baby steps, I keep telling myself. And continuing to put one foot in front of the other, day after day, in hopes of getting somewhere with those baby steps.

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  9. This was a beautiful inspiring post, glad you have your Mojo back :)

    My Grandmother inspired me, she went out to work in service at 14, lived thru 2 world wars with Hubby fighting in one and sons fighting in the other, she lived to be 93 and was a very happy woman even though she lived thru some incredible life challenges.

    I strive everyday to have that staying power and joy, T.

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  10. So agree with you Annette - so many times I talk myself out of things for sheer fear of failure. I'm not even jumping 50 ft in the air and flipping around, going to a foreign country, etc .I've got my feet on the ground and should have no excuses...we all need to push each other ....athletes do that really well !

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