We have all heard the saying “sheer determination”. It is normally
used to describe the “will power” or “strength of character” needed to achieve
a goal by drawing on the desire to achieve and overcome rather than by outside
assistance. It is most likely accompanied by a struggle of some sort to get to
the desire goal or outcome.
I recently had an opportunity to witness determination first
hand and although the desired “goal” may be years away, it is inspiring to see
someone hop on the path that they were created to be on. After all, determination
as a word may be a noun, but it takes a verb to set it in motion…ACTION!
I was having a general conversation with a wonderful young man
about the obstacles that block paths to becoming want you want in life.
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have a direct, uneventful path to achieving our
goals. There will be doors that close and it is our job to look for other doors
that will open and if all else fails, we need to look for open windows. I
suppose that is why we can refer to some opportunities as “windows of
opportunity”! As cliché as it is, I truly
believe that there is a reason for everything. Our frustration stems from not understanding
those reasons at specific times, but I know that circumstances arise to guide
us along the path that we should be on and even better outcomes can come from
what we first thought were insurmountable obstacles.
As I was speaking to this young man, we were talking about
how these “blockages” in life sometimes cause people to freeze and give up on
their dreams. What a shame! You cannot wallow in self-pity and get stuck on the
“life’s not fair” band wagon. There will always be people in life that will
seem to get a “free ride” and breeze on through with little resistance. There
will always be people that have the financial means to continue on their dream
path and have broader options because they can afford it. There will always be
people that get assistance more easily because of their status. Whether fair or
not, you cannot worry about what the “other people” are doing to get where they
are going. They are living their plan and you must live your plan. I explained
to him that the only difference between him and anybody else was “SHEER
DETERMINATION”. It was all about finding
that will and drive that dwells within your soul to become what the Lord put
you on this earth to do! When you have that “knowing” or voice that screams to
your soul, then there will always be a path open to get you to where you need
to be to achieve the desired outcome…know matter how wavy that path may be. For
it is on that path that life will reap the lessons you need to learn to get to
the goal! It is with THAT determination that you will be able to fix your
intentions and make it to the finish line. We are given an amazing gift of free will and
by the choices we make we can create our own path and live the dream and fulfill
the destiny.
I witnessed that sheer determination as this young man was
faced with many closed doors and yet still had this burning in his spirit to
find a way to turn his dreams into a reality. The secret was that he took the
first step and realized that even though the path changed, the dream still
lives! He was not frozen in fear or pity, he put one foot in front of the
other, gathered the information he needed, talked to the people he needed to
talk to, followed the steps he had to take and with SHEER DETERMINATION, found an open window of
opportunity and hopped on through!
Remember to allow determination to be your motivation and where
there is a will, there is a way!
P.S. I am so proud and blessed to call that amazing young man, my
son, my future “Patch Addams” and an enlisted Army recruit.
Just Sayin’,
Christina
