Perseverance - WE GOT IT!!

per·se·ver·ance

   /ˌpɜrsəˈvɪərəns/ Show Spelled[pur-suh-veer-uhns] Show IPA

noun

1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

 

 

Ok for those of you that are close to me know that when something really bothers me I have to vent it and then I can let it go.  I have said that my blog is going to be about my hiking adventures and this rant is about something that happens to Laina and I on the trail and it really bothers me so I am going to put it out there and hope that it might touch one person to make a difference.

 

The very first trail that Laina and I hiked outside of our local lake was the Rock of Ages trail, everyone we passed on that trail was very encouraging and told us we were doing a good job and to keep going.  We did not find out until later that the Rock of Ages trail was a double black diamond and one of the hardest trails in our area.  Once we found that out we knew that although it took us a long time to climb that trail that WE DID IT - it took perseverance and together we climbed that hill.  There are many people that would have looked at it and said no way it's too hard but we didn't do that we stuck it out. 

 

When Laina and I hiked at Cascade Head I blogged that it was the first time that we were looked at and spoken too like the trail was too tough for us.  We have had similar experiences on other trails since.  When we hiked up Angels Rest there was a foursome of fairly fit looking hikers and the double takes of the men in the group was annoying.  This last weekend when we hiked up Mt. Hood again some men made a comment to us not to forget we would have to go back up the hill.  I was of course mad because I am not an idiot if you go down a hill you usually have to go back up if you are returning on the same trail.  Each time this happens, Laina handles herself with grace and politeness that is true to her character, me I wait until we are passed the people and then I have to vent about it.  Each time I wonder how can someone judge us when they don't know where we have been.  I don't know if people judge us because we are two women out in the middle of the woods by ourselves or if it is because we are over weight but in any case we have something that most people don't have - we have PERSEVERANCE.  Following are a few quotes about perseverance that strike home with me:

 

 

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.
Marie Curie

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
Samuel Johnson

I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
John D. Rockefeller
 

Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless.
Scott Hamilton

Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears.
Gillian Anderson

 

This new journey that Laina and I are on is hard, there is not one thing about it that's easy, but we work at it - everyday.  Our goal is to be an example to others of what can be done when you set your mind to it.  Together we are on a journey to lose about the same amount of weight as 3 people, this will take time, it will take work and it will take perseverance. 

 

I pledge to be positive and to encourage others to be the best that they can be and I hope that in this rant people can learn from our experiences:

 

1. Don't judge others by your abilities.

2. Don't judge people by your struggles.

3. Don't judge people by how they look.

4. Know that other people are facing the same struggles as you.

5. Know there is no mountain too high or trail/trial too hard if you take your time

and work at it.

6. Know that with hard work and perseverance you can accomplish your goals.

PERSEVERANCE - WE GOT IT - DO YOU?