It has been a tiring, hot, strange week here in the Bay Area. We are finally supposed to be on a cooling trend and hopefully this weekend (and the coming week) will be less tiring. This quote I wrote out for my door at work seems especially apt after this week.
“Success seems to be largely a matter of holding on after others have let go.” William Feather
Talk about success and grit seems to be all the rage now. How can we teach our students to be grittier? How can we train ourselves to exhibit more grit in the face of obstacles and challenges? What allows some to struggle and persevere when others give up? I don’t know the answers to those questions, although some people are looking into the answers to those questions. I’m looking forward to reading more of their results in the future, but until then I find this quote inspiring when I don’t feel so “gritty.”
Sometimes it is hard to continue to work, day in and day out, without any outward sign of progress or validation, especially when it seems like some people seem to be overnight successes. But it does seem, as I continue on in life and work and writing and calligraphy that success is about keeping on keeping on when others have given up and let go. If we keep learning and growing and working, then success will probably come. It’s not a guarantee (but then few things are in life), but we have a better chance than if we give up our work we are passionate about, our dreams, our visions.
So I keep looking for inspiration in the everyday moments and keep learning and writing and challenging myself because it’s what I have control over. And, also, I’ll never have to wonder what might have been if I’d have just kept at it for a little while longer. (Also, who isn’t getting just a little excited for NaNoWriMo already? Or is it just me?)
I hope you have a lovely day full of whatever inspires you to keep working towards the goals in your life that keep you passionate, alive, and growing. 🙂