Tag: perseverance

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motivation

When Setbacks Happen

Sketch of me with leg pain illustrating when setback happen.

Earlier this month, I went for my weekend run. I was going to run six miles, determined to keep on my plan to run a half marathon this fall. Then the pain started, and I found myself pondering what to do when setbacks happen.

  • Should I quit?
  • Should I cut today’s run short?
  • If I push through, will I injure myself?

The pain didn’t go away. Eventually, I decided it was foolish to push my knee to the point of severe damage. Ironic, isn’t it? I wrote a post on sticking with it, and I injured myself.

It was so ironic, I didn’t want to write this post! I sat on it for two weeks. How could I write a post about a setback right after encouraging others to stick with it? But that’s exactly when I needed to write it.

Sticking with it is easy when slow and steady progress is unimpeded. It’s much harder when I have to take a detour. But that’s when the successful learn from failure.

What do you do when you have a plan and reality throws you a curveball?

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motivation

Sticking With it

Sketch of a guy sticking with it when the sun is hot and his legs ache.
  • Is this it?
  • Is my goal over?
  • I thought this was a worthy goal.
  • God, where are you in all this?

When the negative thoughts come, sticking with it feels like an impossible task. But that is where the magic happens.

During a marathon, when the sun was hot and my hamstrings were screaming at me, I discovered that goals are crucial, even when they don’t feel attainable. Besides, what good is a goal if it is easy to reach?

That moment taught me something more profound than fitness or a goal. It taught me the value of endurance and perseverance.

What has helped you stick with it during the hard times? Leave a comment below.

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motivation

Consider it pure joy

man and woman playing tug of war
Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

How can anyone consider it pure joy when we face trials? How can anything good come from the pressures and challenges in our lives?

James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy.

Untested faith is unproven. How can you know if your faith holds without putting it into practice? In a story, a hero without a trial is a hero without a story. How can the hero save the day if there is no problem to confront?

We don’t like trials and tribulations. Yet, problems have benefits. We need them. So when it comes to trials of various kinds, consider it pure joy.

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cartoon children cartoons

Facing Your fears

Rough sketch of a girl and a monster who is eating someone. The girl says, "You see that, Roger? That's why I don't like facing my fears."

When it comes to facing your fears, it can be tough to let people see you as vulnerable and in a rough state, like this old sketch.

When I originally posted this, I thought I’d take one of my roughs out of my sketchbook. Is it facing my fears of showing my rough lines in all its glory? Perhaps. I did a lot of sketching then but didn’t have much time to create polished artwork unless I could invoice it.

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motivation

It's Not Over Until You Say It's So

Cartoon of a man and his dog. They are trying to go up an icy hill, to no avail. I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "reverse."

Do you feel like giving up? Did you think you had some traction, only to discover you were on ice and sliding downhill? In those times, it can be tempting to give up, throw in the towel and sulk in a corner. It may feel hopeless. But it’s not over until you say it’s so!

Cartoon of a man and his dog. They are trying to go up an icy hill, to no avail. I drew this for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "reverse."

Yogi Berra was famous for his yogiisms. Even the BBC noted while some of his sayings were silly, this one has become quite helpful:

“It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Yogi Berra
Continue reading “It's Not Over Until You Say It's So”