There is a particular song I play in my car "a lot" when driving, and sometimes I could play the song over and over again. Inasmuch as it could get on some people's nerves, mostly my kids, I just can't help but put it on repeatedly. It was one of the official songs of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Gloria Estefan's "Reach" always seem to put me in a frame of mind of wanting to do something or making something happen that would ordinarily seem like an ordeal to me.
I have listened to the song for years and it still seems to work the same magic on me all the time. It inspires me. You could have a dream that looks like it could take almost a lifetime to achieve but as long as you don't give up, you can make it possible.
Like most people, I work very hard towards achieving success. I put in a lot of efforts into achieving a purpose. I would usually ask myself anytime I'm doing a task or working on a project "Have I tried my best?" "Have I been able to put in all the effort that I can muster?" "I'm I reaching for the sky?"
As much as I would expect success at the end which gives me a sense of fulfillment, It is always a different ball game when roadblocks or impediments are met along the way.
Nobody wants impediments, but they could sometimes present themselves. It's okay to feel disheartened but a lot of people seem to spend too much time brooding over the problems they encounter. They spend precious time being unhappy about what had gone wrong, what they are loosing or what they have lost. They spend time being miserable over the time they had spent for nothing rather than using it as an experience, making adjustments and moving on.
I always give my children a firm "suck it up, and move on" attitude whenever they complain too much about things not going their way. I have always instilled in them the spirit of positivity, that when something doesn't go right the first time, it doesn't mean it's never going to work. It only means you might have to give it another shot.
"You might have to fight a battle more than once to win it"
- Margaret Thatcher -
A lot of people would say it's easier said than done but if you just take a moment and think about it, you would realize that with God there is no challenge that is too tough and there is no problem too difficult. There was a reason why you started pursuing that goal. If you just sit back, give up, and decide not to try again, you would be giving up on your dreams. You would be giving up on your passion.
Those stumbling blocks are meant to be your motivator. Keeping your focus on those goals gets you closer to the light which is definitely at the end of the tunnel.
I have visited the hospital a lot of times over the years and I see a lot of people trying their best to get well. Some patients have had to go through very risky procedures a couple of times before it becomes successful. It is not an easy thing to do. The determination not to give up promises them an opportunity of a better, healthier and a more fulfilling life.
To all sickle cell warriors out there and to all those fighting one battle or the other, find strength in the desire to overcome. Let your struggles be your motivation, let those obstacles be your opportunity to grow and rise above that which tried to hurt you.
It's okay to cry, it's okay to take a moment to breath. You could even stumble along the way but never stop pushing hard for that which you believe in. It's time to get back up and continue where you left off because winners don't quit. Let the sky be your limit.