About Persistence

My dictionary defines persistence as something like hanging in no matter what the cost. Perseverance, a more substantial word, the same. Move ahead despite the toll taken.

Those words describe heroes. People who act at great sacrifice to themselves to achieve some greater good. I saw a lot of movies on that theme when I was growing up. They seem less popular now. Our culture is less romantic than it used to be.

Synonyms for stubbornness, on the other hand, are negative terms: obstinate, willful, pig-headed. Maybe your dictionary is kinder. 

I am working on a second blog site; this new one will be dedicated to the giclées that I’m having such a good time with now. I plan to link it to this blog and to my web site and use it for sales of these creations. I’m trying to set it up using WordPress instead of Blogger (which is how this one works). WordPress is elegant and flexible and all-around appealing to me. But I’m having one helluva time learning to use it.

So some days I see myself as persistent, and when I tire, stubborn and intransigent. Why not surrender to defeat and choose something easier? Sometimes being tenacious is a blessing, other times a curse. I had a terrible job once that I took to tide me over during a difficult time. I realized one day as I was showing up for work that I could see myself as a victim or as a hero. My choice. 

Calvin Coolidge provides solace: 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 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.

The image above is Yellow-Green ©2010,  Giclée Print,  size varies. For information or to purchase any of the paintings on this site, please email Joan.