Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Freeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel Thread ~ PERSISTENCE -- THE KEY TO SUCCESS? ~ December 27, 2009
The Canteen Crew ^ | December 26, 2009 | Serving the Bestest Troops in the UNIVERSE!!!! And don't give me any guff! ;)

Posted on 12/26/2009 5:00:03 PM PST by Brad’s Gramma


 
 

 

 

PERSISTENCE -- THE KEY TO SUCCESS?


Walter Wintle once wrote:

"If you think you are beaten, you are; if you think you dare not, you don't; If you'd like to win, but think that you can't, it's almost a cinch that you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost, for out in the world we find Success begins with a fellow's will; it's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outclassed, you are; you've got to think high to rise. You've got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man; But soon or late the man who wins is the man who thinks he can."

President Calvin Coolidge had a similar philosophy. "Nothing in the world," he once said, "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."

Inspiring words. But they can be deadly. Because they are only PART of the equation for success. In fact, contends Price Pritchett, "If you stake your hopes for a breakthrough on trying harder than ever, you may kill your chances for success." He reinforces this assertion with the example of a fly "burning out the last of its short life's energies in a futile attempt to fly through the glass of the windowpane." It is persistent, single-minded and determined. But it is also doomed. It will die there on the window sill because it's strategy is flawed. And all the while, just a few steps away, the door is open! This kind of persistence, Pritchett points out, is an idea that can kill. Some times "trying harder" is part of the problem!

Persistence IS vital. But it doesn't always mean sticking with the same strategy. There's an old story about a businessman in a three piece suit who took a shortcut across a pasture on the way to work. He was almost halfway across when a bull in a distant corner saw the trespasser and charged after him. Running as fast as he could, the businessman threw his briefcase over the fence and slid to safety just in the nick of time. A bystander helped the man to his feet, dusted him off and commented, "Boy, that was a close call; that bull almost got you." The businessman shrugged and smiled. "Yes," he replied; "he almost gets me every time."

All around us, we see people pursuing flawed "visions" for success and happiness. In business, in politics, and in their personal lives. And when the strategy proves empty and unfulfilling, unfortunately the response is often simply to "try harder." Scripture is very practical in encouraging us to examine the long-term view. Centuries ago, in fact, Moses spoke to the Israelites saying, "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants shall live." (Deuteronomy 30:19) The promise of God through Jeremiah the prophet was similar: "You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

As some wag once said, "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got!" But is that what we really want? Better that our persistence should be devoted to finding and following God's "better way." Jesus promised, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33).

CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN

 

 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; freepercanteen; military; troopsupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 181-195 next last
To: Jet Jaguar; Laurita; CMS; OneLoyalAmerican; tongue-tied; Defender2; txradioguy; MEG33; ...
God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.


Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art


81 posted on 12/27/2009 2:33:18 AM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
((HUGS))Good morning, Kathy. How's it going?

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

82 posted on 12/27/2009 2:58:57 AM PST by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


83 posted on 12/27/2009 3:00:19 AM PST by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

BTTT


84 posted on 12/27/2009 3:00:56 AM PST by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Good Sunday morning Kathy. (8)


85 posted on 12/27/2009 3:08:34 AM PST by Pusterfuss (I will give your president the same respect you gave mine.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

and possibly blew the 2010 list as soon as they got the contents of their Santa Paws Stockings; - bark - bark - bark - bark - bark - - - - - - - - - - -


86 posted on 12/27/2009 6:58:52 AM PST by SandRat (Duty, Honor, Country! What else needs said?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska; All
Wishing The Canteen A Blessed Lord's Day


Almighty and Eternal God, Protect our soldiers as they discharge
their duties. Protect them with the shield of your strength and keep
them safe from all evil and harm.
May the power of your love enable them to return home safely to the
people who love them and to the gratitude of the American people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
~~~
May God Keep Safe All Who Serve Our Country

87 posted on 12/27/2009 8:40:40 AM PST by MEG33 (God Bless Our Military Men and Women)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks Kathy!

Hot coffee on a cold morning works wonders!

{{HUGS}}


88 posted on 12/27/2009 9:22:52 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska; AZamericonnie; SandRat; Seadog Bytes; TASMANIANRED; EHC Southern Pride; E.G.C.; ...
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three French chicks



89 posted on 12/27/2009 9:29:03 AM PST by Lady Jag (Double your income. Fire the government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag

((HUGS))Good morning, L.J. How’s it going?


90 posted on 12/27/2009 9:50:39 AM PST by E.G.C.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: Lady Jag

ROFLMAO

The kids too.


91 posted on 12/27/2009 10:13:41 AM PST by Professional Engineer (Will Algore give me carbon credits for using treehuggers as home heating fuel? ~~ Galt/Reardon 2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma; Kathy in Alaska; Seadog Bytes; MamaDearest; TigersEye; Godzilla; ...
Hello my Dear desert friend. Warning

Sent to me on Facebook

Remember Me

92 posted on 12/27/2009 10:16:05 AM PST by JustPiper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brad's Gramma; Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; mylife; NYTexan; BIGLOOK; Old Sarge; TASMANIANRED; ...

A Blessed and peaceful Lord's Day to my Canteen family, and to our Troops!

93 posted on 12/27/2009 10:36:50 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MS.BEHAVIN

Just dumped a can of tuna and a fried egg in pooks bowl

Boy is he happy!

A little snack.


94 posted on 12/27/2009 10:47:07 AM PST by mylife (Obama is a fine orator, and Janet Napalitano is cunning linguist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 93 | View Replies]

To: JustPiper

Good stuff...thanks!!

Lest We Forget!!


95 posted on 12/27/2009 10:56:17 AM PST by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: mylife

LOL
I bet he is!
Nasty weather here..
Heavy wind driven rain..
Yuck!
You cookin’ today?


96 posted on 12/27/2009 11:14:49 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: MS.BEHAVIN

Nope. no cooking here, hence the tinned tuna LoL
Sunny and 43 here.

I hear that nasty cold rain is coming tues.
There is nothing worse than that. :(


97 posted on 12/27/2009 11:18:58 AM PST by mylife (Obama is a fine orator, and Janet Napalitano is cunning linguist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: JustPiper

*sniff*
I’m a mess!
Thanks for the hanky alert!
God Bless our Troops!


98 posted on 12/27/2009 11:21:33 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: mylife

It feels like cold needles!
I hate dat!
Gonna make some nice linguine later..
We were gifted with venison meatballs in italian spaghetti sauce!
YOM!


99 posted on 12/27/2009 11:28:04 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN (Women who behave rarely make history)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 97 | View Replies]

To: MS.BEHAVIN

Yom!


100 posted on 12/27/2009 11:30:47 AM PST by mylife (Obama is a fine orator, and Janet Napalitano is cunning linguist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120 ... 181-195 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson