"press on"

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."                         

~ John Calvin Coolidge

It's election season both here and abroad, and I find it somewhat funny to read of the American dream. Everything is within reach when you try hard enough. The makeable-life writings are very inspiring, optimistic and all that, so are they true? Or are we just drooling all over the theory while in reality nothing happens or changes?

One thing that motivates me to hold on to certain dreams, is that if I fail, which sometimes is very likely, at least I will be able to look in the mirror and remind myself "at least I tried with everything that was in my might" and have peace about it.

I think we have to face [and live with] the fact that a certain percentage - I don't know, I'll just say 60% - of our plans, hopes and dreams will always remain plans, hopes, dreams and never a reality. But the trick I find is to remain childlike, to dare to expect a lot from life in spite of previous disappointments, to challenge yourself, and to keep both feet on the ground.

Take note McCain, Obama, Clark and Key et al., regardless of whatever disappointments faced in the upcoming months - Abraham Lincoln ran for President more than once, and when he was finally elected due to his persistence, he brought about some rather important change - in abolishing slavery.

It is with this thought, that it is continually surprising to see what the mere act of persistence will yield. A chap by the name of Churchill put his take on persistence as:

"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up."

Well, if the key is persistence then hopefully our attempts will finally pay off.  

Funny, isn't it, how we can be nice and respectful and go nowhere but, as soon as we become a pest we get noticed and people will do anything so we leave them alone.  Sad, but true…

Yet, persistence is a wonderful thing especially in this life when most people just give up, but those who persist will eventually get to where they are going and succeed.

So thanks to the special person who has inspired me to "press on" as of late...