Perseverance is a powerful concept, and one that requires constant consideration in this house. The first time I actively considered the importance of perseverance was decades ago when I read a business article stating that success was about 90% perseverance and 10% talent. This statement inspired me to consider its truth and it didn’t take long for me to gather examples from earlier in my life to validate it!
Perseverance is needed along most, if not all, dimensions of life.
Physical, mental AND emotional perseverance has been critical for both Cailyn and I over the last dozen years. Cailyn’s diagnosing doctor told me a few years ago that when he first worked with us he thought I was crazy. I was a little taken aback by the statement and tried to joke about it, but he simply repeated himself. He elaborated by saying he thought I was delusional… not paying attention to the gravity of Cailyn’s diagnosis and the severity of her deficits. Thankfully, he then went on to say that I kept pushing everyone to work with Cailyn as if the best results were going to be possible. He added that it was because of my perseverance that her medical team learned that when we push for the best results possible, we can achieve things they never thought were possible. I deeply appreciated his pat on the back… it didn’t make my head swell but it sure inspired me to keep persevering.
The last two weekends have presented examples of perseverance under different circumstances. On the first weekend, Lauryn’s 13U volleyball team competed at their 13U Provincials. This team has participated in three successive 13U Provincial Championships, as an 11U, a 12U, and a 13U team. This year they entered the competition ranked first in the province, adding a little extra pressure to their moment. On their third, and last, day of competition, they played the 3rd ranked team to get to the semis, the 4th ranked team to get to the Gold medal match, where they played the 2nd ranked team and came away with the Gold. It was an amazing finish to three years of hard work! To top off their season, the team finished in 18th place at the 14U Eastern Nationals last week-end. The team showed great tenacity against the older, and bigger, teams. It was great to see the determination and to realize that they carry this developing muscle with them to the other mountains they will face in their lives.
Perseverance requires conscious effort and we don’t always know when we’re going to be challenged to stay tough. Oftentimes, the more difficult it is to persevere, the more important it is that we do.
Persevere!!