Leaving a Wonderful Legacy

Today I was sparked and inspired by a lovely sermon by one of our Pastors, Mason Naidoo. On Leaving a Legacy. One of the points in his sermon was about perseverance which I've focused on over the past week in Blog posts here.

"By Perseverance the Snail Eventually Reached the Ark" Charles Spurgeon.

One of the Legacies we can leave is the Legacy of "Refusing to Quit". We may be aware of a great destiny or purpose or calling that we need to fulfil with our lives. But what is the point of that if we quit? Many times, people give up hope, some even reach such a point of desperation they may be tempted to commit suicide (sadly some already did). But what if, with all the years of trying, and failing, what if they'd persisted and found their breakthrough just the next week? We should never give up. (Winston Churchill's famous words ring in my ears: "Never, never, never give up".)

Are you willing to let go of past disappointments, failures, pains, hopelessness? Isn't it time to re-write your Legacy in Life? Don't give up. Refusing to quit might be one of the greatest acts of Spiritual Warfare you have ever done.

Symptoms of Lack of Persistence

1. Failure to recognise and clearly define exactly what you want.
2. Procrastination, with or without cause (usually backed up with a formidable array of alibis and excuses)
3. Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.
4. Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely (also backed by alibis).
5. The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems
6. Self-satisfaction. There is but little remedy for this affliction and no hope for those who suffer from it.
7. Indifference, usually reflected in your readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it.
8. The habit of blaming others for your mistakes, and accepting unfavourable circumstances as being unavoidable.
9. Weakness of desire due to neglect in the choice of motives that impel action.
10. Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat (based upon one or more of the six basic fears).
11. Lack of organized plans, placed in writing where they may be analysed.
12. The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.
13. Wishing instead of willing.
14. The habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches – a general absence of ambition to be, to do, and to own.
15. Searching for all the short-cuts to riches, trying to get without giving a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of gambling or endeavouring to drive “sharp” bargains.
16. Fear of criticism, failure to create plans and to put them into action because of what other people will think, do or say.
Taken directly from “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Tomorrow’s Blog post will deal with Persistence!

Persistence and Tenacity

A few excellent quotes to inspire you (and me):

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."

Nelson Mandela, South African leader

“I haven't failed. I've found 10,000 ways that don't work.”
Thomas Edison (1847-1931);
Inventor, Businessman

“I think and think for months and years, ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.”
Albert Einstein (1879-1955);
Theoretical Physicist, Philosopher, Nobel Prize Winner

“Nothing in the world 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. The slogan “Press On” has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.”
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933);
30th Us President

“If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress.”
Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933);
30th Us President

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Robert J. Collier (1876-1918);
Writer

“Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.”
F. Scott Fiztgerald (1896-1940);
Novelist, Screenwriter

“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others let go.”
William Feather

“Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.”
Malcolm S. Forbes (1919-1990);
Publisher

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1886);
Author

“When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t. ”
Thomas Edison (1847-1931);
Inventor, Businessman

Just when the caterpillar thought its life was over, it became a butterfly.. Proverb