Karla’s Korner: The Importance of Persistence

The Importance of Persistence

persistence

The Importance of Persistence….

It’s March and that means it is a pretty serious time for college basketball. Being the parent of a college student I find myself drawn to games that involve my daughter’s college team but do not really follow college sports as closely as my husband or other family and friends do. As those around me pick their favorites, fill out brackets and sneak peeks at smart phones, televisions or games streamed online during the middle of the work day I have noticed that there are no guarantees. When the “madness” started last week I began to take note that there were some pretty big upsets on the court that left some scratching their heads and wondering how a less than popular team comes out on top of a bigger well known team. What is it that is making these smaller less notable teams wind up with victories advancing their chances at the big trophy in the end? Knowing that chance and luck sometimes play a big part in basketball and other games in life I find myself wondering if the “underdog” often finds victory because of persistence; they choose not to give up.

When the recent basketball madness started one of the first examples of upset arose when Ohio State lost their first game to the University of Dayton; a lesser known school. Social media was all a buzz about brackets being busted and how the smaller school just got lucky. Could it be the smaller team got lucky or is it something else? Could persistence be a key factor in victory? Unable to produce a concrete answer about these games I can’t help but cheer for the underdog and hope that their persistence and never give up attitude takes them to the top.

This week I read a quote that made me think how important it is to push through the tough times in our lives; “A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but its persistence”. Think about it, a small persistent stream of water has the ability to cut through layers of hard rock simply because it keeps going. There is no power in water itself, but the more it flows over the rock it begins to wear the rock away creating a cavern or in some cases a canyon. Relating this concept to life it’s easy to find examples of how persistence wins over power. One example of such persistence is the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. After much persistence Roebling and his engineer son Washington began working together to build the bridge. Not long after the work began a tragic accident took Roebling’s life and injured Washington causing him to lose his ability to walk or talk. Refusing to give up Washington spent days on end tapping out the instructions on his wife’s arm in a special code so that the project could be completed 13 years later. Because of persistence the Brooklyn Bridge became a reality; one that might not have happened if Washington Roebling had given up.

Whatever challenges we face in life we must consider the power in persistence the water has over the rock. Keeping in mind that moving forward is vital to making our dreams a reality, just like Washington Roebling tapping out his instructions to build a great bridge. In closing I am reminded of yet another quote by Roman poet Ovid: “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.” I encourage you to be the flowing water in your life’s work, pushing through to achieve your greatest dreams.

Peace,
Karla

I am proud to introduce a new column to Madame Deals! I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Read more Karla’s Korner , also please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.

Check out Karla’s 24 Day Advocare Challenge updates!

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