As long as we persevere and endure, we can get anything we want. ~ Mike Tyson
A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ~ Christopher Reeve
The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success. ~ David Sarnoff
The ability to persevere is one of those character traits that so many of us hope we not only possess, but instill and develop in our children. When we are in a tough space, the ability to continue to persevere is imperative. We have to struggle against the desire to curl up in a ball and hide from the world. It is the will to fight, the understanding that there is no way that life is going to get us down – we will fight until things are better.
Perseverance can also involve learning a new skill – whether it is playing a musical instrument or becoming an accomplished athlete. These things do not happen overnight, but rather, with hours of dedication. My oldest daughter really struggled to learn to play the piano – she was always terribly frustrated that her new pieces would sound horrible until she had practiced for a few days. She hated that the pieces were not perfect from the beginning…. in the end, piano was not for her – but she is very happy playing the drums!
Today, 159 days ’til 40, I remind myself to persevere in life – in order to muddle through rough circumstances, and also to better myself with new talents and abilities.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
walkwiththerabbi
September 15, 2012 at 00:18
Timely my sister – timely and medicinal. It was good for me to read this today. Thank You. Hugs to you from here.
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:28
Thanks so much! 🙂
viveka
September 15, 2012 at 01:49
persevere – didn’t know what it meant at first … don’t think I ever use or come a cross the word before, not what I can recall anyhow – to carry on .. not giving up – persist, quite a big word … Have a great weekend … be good to yourself.
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:27
You too!!!
1smiles
September 15, 2012 at 02:46
Very timely post. 🙂
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:27
🙂
sharonhughson
September 15, 2012 at 07:31
Great post. I always tell my students that hard work is more admirable than raw talent. When things come easily, we don’t build character. If we have to work at something, we strengthen the muscles we use for that work as well as our endurance for trials.
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:27
Yes, it is so very true and how wonderful that you share this with your students. I agree, we do build more character when we are challenged. 🙂
kenthinksaloud
September 15, 2012 at 13:19
Absolutely right! Perseverance is so important. I see it in the lives of so many over here in Bangladesh and it reminds me daily that I have no right to complain but need to just get on with it as these quotes of yours encourage us to do 🙂
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:26
Yes!
Another Thousand Words
September 15, 2012 at 18:09
Once again, a great topic, 400! Without perseverance, where (and what) would most of us be?
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:25
Thanks, I would hate to see where I would be today without perseverance!
Another Thousand Words
September 15, 2012 at 18:10
Forgot to add: If you flip the cat’s image, it looks as if he/she is doing a ‘face palm’!
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:25
hehehe 🙂
simon7banks
September 15, 2012 at 19:25
Very true, but occasionally we need to be able to reconsider: not this mountain, then that one. The Mike Tyson quote is obviously not true, and just as well, or dictators would always get world domination and never fall, criminals would all become rich and competitive sports would be a bit confusing.
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:25
Very good point!
evilnymphstuff
September 15, 2012 at 22:51
Determination and perseverance! Indeed nothing is ever done overnight. We have to adopt patience…
Thanks for the advice!
Inspiring post!
400daystil40
September 15, 2012 at 23:24
Thanks so much!