A Valuable Lesson Learned

Monday 9^th January 2006.

Trek Day 7 Namche to Phakding

I have learned a very valuable lesson while on this trek. I have learned about perseverance big time! I have had to perform physically far beyond what I thought I was capable. To get to our destination I had to keep going no matter how far, no matter how much I hurt, no matter how tired I felt. It did not matter how much I felt incapable to going on, no-one was going to carry me!

 Application

I couldn’t help but think of applying this to my writing. No-one is going to write the stories for me. Not too many people ever come up to me with a brilliant idea and say “I think you should write this story.” (Corinne does – bless her!) I must come up with the ideas. I must put in the hard work. I am the one who must put in the long hours at the computer. I must persevere. Success only comes with hard work and extreme perseverance. I’ve taken it far too easy up to now. I’ve given up far too easily when the going gets tough. I’ve given up far too easily when I’ve pretended I’ve be too tired or not in the mood or feeling a bit off colour.

 The Perseverance Principle

This not only applies to my writing but the principle can also apply to many other pursuits. If it’s worth doing it’s worth giving every ounce of strength. Seeing tasks through to completion is also part of this persistence, not counting the cost, not stopping when the walk is hard, painful and tiredness wracks the body. The apostle Paul encouraged this attitude when he wrote:

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)