Back in the day (several years ago), I used to join a weekly link-up called Five Minute Friday. Every Friday morning, a one-word prompt would be given and the idea was to free write for just five minutes on that prompt and, then of course, share your unedited thoughts with the group. I loved the challenge of a good writing exercise. However, the pesky rule follower in me struggled with the time limit (what if took seven minutes to write??) and had an especially hard time with pushing publish on something that was completely unedited. Yes, these are the types of things that keep me up at night. So, I stepped away. However. I really enjoy the idea of not only a writing exercise (free writing without overthinking) and writing with a focused topic. Even if it is just a one word topic. So, I thought I would do something similar here again. At least, a few times a month. Maybe I will borrow the Five Minute Friday word for the week or, perhaps, I will find other prompt ideas. The challenge and exercise comes with not knowing the prompt in advance. All that to say, here are my thoughts on PERSEVERANCE.
GO – There is a little one in my Junior Church group that really struggles with self-confidence and very much lives with a defeatist attitude. An attitude that expects to fail. Whether it is participating in a relay type game, learning new motions to a song or simply trying to master those pesky scissors, this one is always saying, “I can’t do it.” Oh, but you can. We will keep trying. Again. And again. Can I tell you what a difference there has been in the last year or so? Not only in acheivements but in attitude. Very few tears anymore!
That is the beauty in learning to persevere. In this kiddo’s life, it might be a “forced perseverance” but the lesson is not lost on me. I have to admit (and I hate to do so) but I can quit easily. It does not take much to derail me and give into the attitude of “I blew again.” Sad but true. The sugar challenge that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago? It went out the door when I was at the womens’ conference last weekend. All the ladies were enjoying the morning with coffee. And donuts. (You know, allllll the ladies). I walked right up there with the masses and got my coffee and a fresh, yeasty donut covered in chocolate glaze. Oh yes I did. I didn’t even think about my challenge until after I had finished three-fours of that donut. By then, I might as well finish it and, then, begin berating myself. “I can’t finish a sugar challenge. I can’t finish any challenge. I’m a loser.” Much like my five-year old friend on Sunday mornings. Sigh.
But I am discovering the beauty, and even the joy, in learning to persevere. To start again and not to quit. Please do not let me be defined as a quitter. This applies to so much more than donuts and sugar challenges. To more than diets, or habit stacking, or establishing good morning routines. It applies to all areas of my life – but especially to my spiritual life. The enemy happy-dances every single time I decide to quit. Every time I even moan that “I just can’t.” And I want to persevere if for no other reason than to stop those happy-dances. I’m grateful for those who encourage me to keep going and to try again but, quite honestly, most often it is my own personal battle. But I am determined to persevere. Romans 5 reminds us that perseverance builds character. And character gives us hope. Gives us hope! Amen to that!
STOP. Thanks for reading, friends. You know, there are days I am ready to throw in the towel on blogging. Tis true but I think I will persevere…and I so appreciate all of you who show up here. It is so encouraging. Happy Friday!!
Perseverance is such an important character and life skills trait! I think many modern parents and educators don’t stress it enough because nothing is supposed to make kids feel super challenged. Also no one wants to hurt anyone’s feelings so acknowledging that things aren’t going well (and the need to persevere in spite of that) isn’t always done either. I’m glad you have not given up on blogging! I think many of us feel like throwing in the towel every once in a while. Have a great weekend!
Loved this post, Jennifer! It goes right along with my One Word RESILIENCE. Perseverance is a cousin…and it definitely does improve the way we approach life! Thanks for sharing.
What a fabulous post on perseverance, Jennifer! I would be willing to bet that most if not all of us are in this category that we quit or give us easily. Why? Because it is so easy to do and to fall into that habit/pattern of “we blew it, so why bother”. Persevering is a learned behavior and one that we should all continue to strive for. Oh, and you definitely aren’t a loser. I hope you have a peaceful and relaxing weekend.
I think perseverance is a hard thing to learn. I feel like I do it for a while – then I think- maybe I have waited long enough! lol Good thing to learn tho.
Yes, it is. Thanks, Sandra!
Please do not throw in the towel on blogging. Probably most of us have those thoughts (I sure have) but let’s keep writing. It’s a form of community that blesses me.
Thanks Barbara…so nice of you! I, too, am blessed by the blogging community!!
You are absolutely no quitter. Goodness!! So you had a doughnut. Maybe rather than doing no sugar ever, never, ever you just start limiting it. You realized what you had done – that horrible sin of eating a doughnut – before you had finished it. You are thinking about sugar and limiting it more often. That looks like a win to me.
I like doing the 5-minute Fridays, too. But like you, I hate not to edit things and hate to quit in the middle of a thought. So instead of beating myself up for going 6 or 8 minutes, I applaud myself for writing!!
Thank you for all you have done for that sweet baby. You very possibly changed the trajectory of his life. Big hugs, you!!
As always Leslie, thanks for your sweet comments!! And, yes, applaud yourself for writing…I applaud you too!!:)
Please keep going with your blogging, you have encouraged me so much with your posts.
I think perserverance is always going to be a lifetime challenge for all of us one way or another.
Oh Beverley – such a sweet comment! Thank you so much!! I enjoy our blog visits…and, yes, I hope to keep blogging!:)
I think we met at Five Minute Friday, and for that I am grateful! But yes, I also wrestled with the time limit, and too often felt as if I was cheating.
And I share your disappointment when I don’t persevere. My son gave me a helpful thought on this: the old 80/20 rule. If we take care of our health, or diet, or whatever 80% of the time, we are doing well and can splurge for the remaining 20.
Thanks always for your thoughts, Jennifer!