Have you ever noticed that when something is fresh and new, you approach it with excitement and energy? Then, when you realize the cost of success, you tend to become discouraged and disinterested. Successful people understand that great success often lies beyond the point of fatigue and discouragement. So how do we get beyond that point? How do we push ourselves beyond what we believe is our limit?
Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.”
John Bytheway
The two most important steps that we every take are the first step and the last step. We have to start. Then, we have to keep going until we reach that for which we are aiming. We start with great excitement! Then the cost in effort becomes more and more apparent. We may need to stop for repairs. We will have to restart when we get staled out. We may look for a new path when we take a wrong turn. Excitement can begin to wane.
We need to encourage ourselves to persevere, to keep going, to look at all we are learning and achieving along the way. Each time we push a little beyond what seems like a stopping block, we grow stronger. These insights into ourselves can be very exciting and empowering. Reaching a goal is not about time or talent. It is about finishing. We can take one more step. That way, we can and will get to where we are going. We need to persist in our efforts to reach success. There is a direct correlation between perseverance and potential. If we want to be successful, we must give up “giving up”!
Don’t sell yourself short. You never know what you can do until you try. I think back to an old poem I heard many years ago that still excites me desire and urges me on:
DON’T QUIT
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
I Care, Barb
By Carol J. Hyden April 26, 2014
I just found this Monday moments of truth…. i am so excited about it. Carol
By Joy V. Evard February 3, 2014
I would like to receive these blogs to share with my chapter IN 0765 Lakeville most of the year and TX 0415 Mission for 3 months.
By Barb Cady February 4, 2014
You are always welcome to use these blogs. There is a sign up area at the beginning of this blog on the left to receive the blog on a regular basis. as well. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
I Care, Barb
By Betty A. Reimbold February 3, 2014
I needed your motivation. We all really appreciate your efforts, but we sometimes don’t take the time to say THANKS
Tops Chapter Fl 0418
By Lynn M. Ludlam February 2, 2014
Thank you for your Monday’s Moment of Truth, I really enjoy the articles. This one really hits home, after 31 years of my brother being murdered. I do need this poem at this time and glad I happened upon your blog. I think if it is okay I will use it on the back of our chapter calendar for inspiration. Once again thank you and look forward to more of your Monday Moment of Truth.
Lynn Ludlam
Leader
NJ 0135
By Dorothy Jeanie Daniel January 27, 2014
Thank you for the blog. I really enjoy and try to print it so my members can have something to take home with them for the week.
Thanks again
Dorothy Jean Daniel
leader for Mo 0460
By Betty Barnes January 21, 2014
Barbara, Can your notes be printed? I would like to give a copy to the members in our group who do not use the computer. thanks
Betty Barnes
TOPS Co-leader
Hillview 0123 Kentucky
By Barb Cady January 23, 2014
I am so glad you liked this blog! The blogs may certainly be reprinted and distributed to your members,
The quote is attributed to John Bytheway in his book When Times Are Tough. Often, it is difficult to tract down first utterance as many quotes are similar.
I Care, Barb
By Heidi Stark January 21, 2014
Thanks Barb this is exactly what I needed!!
Thanks for always keeping us going!!
Heidi Stark
By Wendy L. Noecker January 20, 2014
I loved this Monday blog; in fact, it’s going to be the topic of our meeting this week. Is the name of the person you gave credit for the little ditty in the first part of the blog, really John Bytheway? I know my chapter is going to question me…they’re just that way..lol 🙂
Thanks for all the encouragement..I love reading them.
Wendy Noecker
OR 0417 Beverton