“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon

by Mike

Perseverance. One strange word but with an incredibly strong meaning. How do we do it? When there are things we are determined to have or determined to see through, what makes us persevere?

I ask the question after reading the story of a 49-year-old woman stayed afloat for 19 hours, in the Ocean off Maui, by simply holding onto a water container until she was rescued.

Lillian Ruth Simpson, of Juneau, Alaska had been canoeing alone and paddled out to some tour boats Thursday morning to distribute invitations to a fundraiser for a documentary on youths and drugs. Unfortunately her canoe turned over and she was unable to find anyone nearby to help her.

She tried in vain to swim to shore but the tide wasn’t with her and she was forced to spend a long night dozing off, accidentally swallowing sea water, throwing up and trying to keep warm.

Joseph Carvalho Jr., captain of the boat Strike Zone, spotted what he first thought was a large balloon but realised it was Ms Simpson and the crew helped to rescue her. She was cold, tired and thirsty and could not remember her name.

The times I thought, ‘I’m going to die, I’m going to die,’ I would say, ‘No, I have three kids and you’re not taking me anywhere

Lillian Ruth Simpson

We all have had to strive to achieve something that we want and at times I’m sure it can look bleak as we question exactly what we are doing it for. I know there is a strong belief to this and that in many cases some do things because they believe it a sign from God or God’s calling etc.

It can be hard to do now, I believe, when there us so much on offer to us and yet so little to properly focus on, which is why I think you have to admire anyone that sticks it out and fights until there is nothing left to fight for.

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try.

Beverly Sills

It can be easy to roll over and quit. Many do everyday and no one notices because we can fade into the background without being judged. However it is the people that are more determined and willing to put the time, effort and sacrifice into what they believe and what they are doing that is usually what brings about a reward for their efforts, regardless of how big the dream is.

Sunday, October 21st, 2007 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.