I think of it like a boulder rolling down the mountainous, declining slope.
I think of it like the child running to see his/her mama after days have gone by.
I think of it like the woman, firmly standing up for herself- who she is, what she has, and all that she has been through- as opposition tries to knock her down.
The boulder won't stop. Not a house, nor a car, nor another boulder lying in the road will bring it to a halt.
The child will keep going until he/she has landed in mama's arms - nothing and no one will deter that reunion.
That woman will not back down. For she is standing up for all of the women before her that may have, in fact, been knocked down.
Persist.
To hold firmly to an opinion or course of action in spite of difficulty, opposition, or failure.
In spite of difficulty.
In spite of opposition.
In spite of failure.
Life can get difficult, there's no doubt about that!
People will not always agree with who we are or what we do.
- and -
Failure will always be a possibility.
Lately, I have learned that all of these things can and will be true.
I will have to fight to stand firmly in what I believe to be true.
There will be people out there who have opposing viewpoints to mine.
There will be times where I will feel like I am being knocked down. Not only by the people that surround me, but by the thoughts, feelings and expectations that are attached to all that we do.
There will be times that I will fail.
It isn't easy to continue your path when you feel like you are the one placing the bricks at your feet.
It isn't easy to go after that dream when you can't get over what could and would go wrong if you do fail.
As I look back upon a time that challenged almost every single one of us; I am reminded that this word has already reigned to be true.
Persist.
Because you are sitting here today means that you've already embodied this word in at least one of its meanings.
Persist.
Taking a deep breath in and out as you come to understand that people will, sometimes, disrespect what you hold to be a sacred space.
Persist.
Gathering your thoughts and emotions as you muddle, in your mind, through how we can ever come back from that disrespect.
Persist.
Standing up and speaking out for what you believe is right even though you know there will be people who oppose you lined up at your door.
Persist.
Continuing on your path, even when the going gets tough.
Persist.
Leaving what is comfortable in order to take care of you, yourself, for once.
Persist.
Having the courage to do what you need to do for yourself, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
Persist.
Holding your mental health as a sacred priority, regardless of the messages you hear throughout society that oppose that.
Persist.
Taking that vacation. Going to the beach. Watching the sunset - because that is what you need in the moment.
Persist.
Leaving, even though you're so afraid to go.
Staying, even when the odds are against you to stay.
My word for the year...
Persist.
My hope and prayer is that I, myself, and all of those around me can realize and recognize that we all have the power to persist.
Through all that is thrown our way.
Through all of the moments that feel good or bad.
Through the new beginnings... and the sad or unexpected endings.
Persist.
I hope that you, the one reading my words right now, can recognize that in some way, shape or form- you have already embodied the meaning that this word brings.
YOU are strong.
YOU are courageous
-and-
You've persisted through when the going has gotten tough.
As we start this year off, here's to remembering that we can and will persist through all that comes our way.
... like the boulder.
... like the child.
... like the woman (or man) that you are.
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