06 February 2024

Let us talk about tenacity and perseverance. Currently, they are quickly becoming virtues that are being increasingly neglected. Whereas hard work and sticking to your guns was viewed as something desirable in days gone by, today anything demanding and strenuous is frowned upon. We whine and complain when things get hard. We are looking for the easy button and are generally able to find it. Often, the straightforward way out is simply to give up and do something else.

As we’re losing our ability to be tenacious and persevere, we are losing out on a lot of good that comes from these vital virtues. We don’t feel the pride that comes with hard-earned success. We aren’t as productive and have gotten much better at distracting ourselves. We don’t get the huge boost in self-confidence one gets from accomplishing a seemingly insurmountable task. Could this be part of the reason we’re seeing more cases of depression? It’s possible. Feeling self-worth is an important part of being happy and fulfilled in life.

The big question then is what can we, as individuals, do to bring back these vital virtues of tenacity and perseverance? Start by practicing tenacity yourself daily. Get better at it and stop being distracted or giving up as much. Start small and keep working at it and getting better at it. Learn to persevere when things get hard and do them anyway. Set an example for those around you. Trust me, they will start to notice.

In addition to setting a good example, share perseverance and tenacity with those around you. If you’re a parent, make it a point to teach your children. Make seeing tasks through to the end a requirement in your house. You’re teaching your kids important life skills that will serve them well throughout school and adulthood.

Influence those around you. Require tenacity and perseverance when you work with others, teach them, or have them work for you. Practice tenacity and perseverance and expect the same from those around you. As they start to notice the many benefits that come from this, they will hopefully start to practice it more and ideally pass it on to others as well.

Don’t be afraid to speak out when you see someone giving up too soon or getting distracted too easily. Tenacity and Perseverance are vital virtues that are worth bringing back. Do your part and watch your own life and that of those around you change for the better. You may not be able to change popular culture all by yourself, but you can change the culture of your family, your business, your workplace, and your own small community for the better.

Maya Discovers Success Through Perseverance (Parable / Story)

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the mountains, there lived a young woman named Maya. Maya was known in the village for her unyielding tenacity and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles and setbacks in her life, she always managed to find a way to overcome them and embrace the challenges that came her way. Her story serves as a powerful parable, teaching us the importance of having tenacity in everyday life to live our lives to the fullest.

Maya's journey started when she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional dancer. However, as fate would have it, she faced countless rejections and disappointments. Audition after audition, she was told that she didn't possess the necessary talent and skill. Many would have given up at this point, but not Maya.

Undeterred by the negative feedback, Maya dedicated herself to daily practice and improvement. She sought out renowned dancers in far-off cities to learn from them and enrolled in dance classes to hone her craft. Maya's tenacity was unwavering, and she believed that if she continued to work hard, her dreams would eventually come true.

Years passed, and Maya's efforts bore fruit. Slowly but surely, she began to make a name for herself in the dance world. Maya's unique talent and incredible determination gained recognition, and invitations flooded in to perform on prestigious stages all over the world.

However, just as Maya's dancing career was taking off, tragedy struck. She suffered a severe foot injury that left her unable to dance. Devastated, Maya fell into a deep despair, unsure of how to cope with her shattered dreams. It seemed as though her life's purpose had been cruelly snatched away.

In the depths of her sorrow, Maya remembered the parable her grandmother had shared with her as a child. It was a story about a tiny seed that had the audacity to force its way through the hardened ground, against all odds, and blossomed into a beautiful flower. This parable reminded Maya that even in the face of adversity, she had the strength within her to persevere and find a new purpose in life.

Driven by her inner resilience, Maya decided to explore another passion of hers—teaching. She poured her heart and soul into becoming an exceptional dance instructor. Through her teaching, Maya discovered a newfound joy and fulfilment in inspiring and nurturing the next generation of dancers.

As time passed, Maya's influence as a teacher grew. Her students thrived under her guidance, and she watched with pride as they blossomed into talented dancers. Maya's life, once filled with despair, had transformed into one of purpose and happiness.

Maya's story teaches us the importance of tenacity in our everyday lives. Life will inevitably throw obstacles our way, but with a tenacious spirit, we can overcome them. Maya's unwavering determination to pursue her dreams and her ability to adapt when life took an unexpected turn is a reminder that our purpose in life may change, but that doesn't mean it diminishes.

As we face challenges and setbacks, let us remember Maya's story. Let us find the strength to persevere, to hold on to our dreams, and to embrace life's ever-changing journey. With tenacity, we can find fulfilment and happiness while living our lives to the fullest.