The Importance of Persistence

per·sist·ence

pərˈsistəns/

noun

1. firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition."companies must have patience and persistence, but the rewards are there"
   • the continued or prolonged existence of something."the persistence of huge environmental problems"

Definition provided by Google .

Often I find myself in the middle of a bitter battle between my own thoughts and my body. “Just do it -move,” I’ll insist. Meanwhile, my arms and my heart are heavy and tired. “Later, it doesn’t matter,” my body seems to respond. There’s something empowering about fighting through those moments. That precise second in which you take action seems to be a great feat of strength. A monumental victory in the midst of one of the most bitter wars known to humanity. The war against one’s self. The failures become less significant with each victory and the momentum gains. Sometimes the flame gets blown out. You find yourself smoldering and realize you’ll have to start all over again.

The secret to success in all of this is persistence.

If nothing else, get back up again. At least, it has eventually been what has pushed me through each hardship in life. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that. At some point, I would find myself just fighting to maintain my place as the current threatened to pull me backwards. Sometimes, I’d even let it. However, regardless of how far back the current seems to pull me, I always continue to fight on.

It doesn’t matter if it’s life that sets you back or a lack of inspiration to help you create the things that makes you feel most yourself. Persistence will always be a means to an end. A guide that will never betray you. At worst persistence shows you the worst parts of yourself. At best it helps you refine the most valuable parts. The key to it all is finding that momentum to keep going. To remember that without the pain of effort there’s nothing worth having. Persistence can’t fix depression or calm anxiety but it can be the tool you use to find whatever will work best for you it. It’s the one thing that gives you hope and gives you chances… the ability not to give up.