My grandfather is a man of few words while I seem to be a woman of many (too many if you ask certain people). In our times together, I feel like I am talking his ear off while he calmly sips his coffee and nods, soaking up in every word I say, muttering a word every now and then. However, there are a few times he does decide to open that mouth of his and usually, the name “Shelby” escapes or these infamous words, “You could stand on your head for three weeks if you absolutely had to.”
Growing up, I rolled my eyes at that phrase. I never understood it. I thought it was absolutely insane. Who would or could stand on their head for three weeks? I took gymnastics for years and years and I know that is physically impossible; at least for me… the one who always lost the headstand contests. Yet, as I have gotten older, I realized just how significant these words were and how powerful they can be. In my eyes, there is not much Dempsey says that isn’t influential and worthy to hear, but this quote, especially, will always remain with me.
He usually recites these words to me as I am crying over having to leave and go back to school on Sunday afternoons or over the phone when I am crying over the workload I have during that particular week. I expect these words -- I almost need to hear them in order to persevere, in order to see my goals through. So, wherever you are in your life, if you are struggling under a pile of paperwork or are struggling to see the other side, take Dempsey’s advice. Just know that nothing is impossible. Know you will make it. Know that you can do anything you can put your mind too. Take this silent man’s motivation and run with it. Learn to live it. Repeat it daily. Practice it because I know from experience these words reign true if you believe it.
“You could stand on your head for three weeks if you absolutely had to.” You may not like it. It may be awful, but you can do anything you set your mind to. The days might be tough, the nights tougher, but you are strong. You are capable. You are a child of God. Perseverance will be needed; it will be expected, but you can do it. The long valleys are the gateways to the wonderful peaks you will experience. The dream that seems so far away will only get closer the harder you work.
