I saw this today on a friend’s wall on Facebook:

It won’t happen overnight, but if you quit, it won’t happen at all

UNKNOWN

Sometimes it can be so damn difficult to continue especially if life seems to constantly knock you down. And by knock you down, I mean, not giving us what we want, when we want it. It’s not happening fast enough. It’s taking too long. You’re getting impatient. Will it ever happen for you?

In an essay on success, Howard Whitman shares…

…a successful life will have its days or even years of failure. It will certainly have its moments of utter washout. These are not blights upon such a life but merely the inevitable failings which bear testimony to the fact that success isn’t easy.

In the book ‘The Right Call’ by Sally Jenkins she says that many of us don’t like to win because winning sets too high a standard, and we are afraid of being seen and burdened with others expecting us to win again and again.

In order to enjoy success we must put our hand on the block, so to speak, and experience life to its fullest: difficulty, failure, transitioning, failing again, getting a taste of success, losing completely, rebuilding, satisfaction and joy.

There are some things we need to quit though, like doubting ourselves and our innate ability. We need not hold the position of victim but expect victory as we move progressively towards our goals.

I love what Whitman says in the last paragraph of his essay:

Success is no straitjacket. It is no mold into which all must be poured. It is no rigid stamp. It is as individual as our fingerprints or the look in our eyes. All we need is the courage to be – and realize – ourselves.