The Graces of Persistence and Courage: Two Secrets That Can Change Your Fortune Entirely

Chapter One

THE POWER IN PERSISTENCE

CHAPTER PREVIEW: The ability to persist gives birth to a force that can be of great help to you.

In another chapter, I describe what happens to your desire as it takes root from the spiritual right through to physical realization. I wish to now explain the power inherent in persistence that brings about this translation from the spiritual to the physical. For those who follow keenly, it may not be too difficult to understand why. The power in this virtue lies essentially on its effect on your spirit. In reality then, it is not persistence that counts practically, but the catalytic effect it brings on man’s spirit. Although it is strictly not the scope of this book, I will nonetheless state it that the mystery and possibility of those things we rightly desire and crave for lie locked up in the spirit; the true self of man. It is from here that the possibility for much begins and lies.

Observe that the desire of man is an intangible thing. This, you will see in another chapter. In order for this to become truly worthy; to bring fulfillment, it must become tangible, physical. Obviously on its own it cannot become tangible. The man who harbors the desire, who brought it into being must convert it from its intangible to tangible form so that fulfillment and satisfaction becomes his. Vapor does not just condense into water like that nor does water evaporate into vapor just like that. It takes a change in the circumstances surrounding the vapor; it takes condensation to turn into water. There are very many of such similes out there. It is a similar thing here. If conditions surrounding the desire do not change; if you remain satisfied with it, then it could never be translated to reality. It is through the power of perseverance or persistence, chiefly that the effort required to transform it into the tangible comes from. It is through this that your spirit that started off, in a bit at self satisfaction with desire is strengthened over and over and enough to be able to be able to achieve this remarkable result through your body. Take away the power and necessity to persist and all other effort put behind the effort would be a waste.

If you have been observant enough, you would already have noticed that people who come from humble and even miserable backgrounds are generally more accomplished that those from rich and opulent backgrounds. The former, on account of their humble background are compelled to earn their living themselves, generally with little or no means. And so, as a result, whether they like it or not, they are already exposed to circumstances that must compel them to persist and persevere, especially if they genuinely want to make it. Frequently, generally, with little or no hope to hang on, the desire and necessity to survive, and even to taste of the more pleasant side of life builds in them the spirit of persistence so that in the course of time opposition which they have grown up in becomes a normality. Of course, it is not the opposition that counts but the great return of persistence that they reap from it. Because of the neediness and even misery they have grown in, the virtue has become a normal part of them. Remember, however, that I talk only of those realistic ones who far from taking their situation as a curse, have dutifully learnt from it, with the honorable desire to makes things reasonably the way they want them to be, and not otherwise. Generally, it is when they stumble on the realization that they have what it takes to turn their humble background around that they excel because then the decisive factor of persistence is already there. And for such people, even if they are deficient in schooling or talent, the abundance of their ability to persist in the face of obstacles can completely counter balance it. For such who make use of it, comes the pleasant realization that it was after all not a curse to have come from a humble or miserable background. There are many examples of such people in history. Charlie Chaplin, the legendary English Comedian is probably known to many for the lasting influence he left in the film and entertainment industry, bringing laughter to a World torn and bitter war during and after the second World war, but less know that he grew up a hungry boy n the streets of London, losing an alcoholic father at the tender age of twelve and forced to deal with the pain of a mentally sick mother. These did not stop him. He went and gave the World what he could give.

Therefore, do not shy away from the possibility to learn and master the virtue of persistence. Be inspired by the words of Coolidge when he wrote: "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

No one could ever persist too much! Your humble or even miserable background actually provides you a great opportunity to do just that: to have perhaps the greatest virtue of success at your mastery! So, welcome these opportunities with joy as you sharpen your talents and other virtues to combine them for fulfillment, and remember that you would always come out of them a better person—provided you just attune rightly!

Chapter Two

IGNORE IT WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

CHAPTER PREVIEW: It is not only on a military battle field that you can become a Spartan. Your career, your desire is your battle field.

For those who are tough, they get going when the going gets tough. They do not give up or retreat. The tough here, however, are none others than those who can persist or persevere! B.C. Forbes summarized it when he said, "History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged