“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after the other.” ~ Walter Elliot
Almost every morning on my drive into work, I see her. She walks very slowly down the sidewalk, pushing a walker in front of her, while her dog walks by her side, a leash securely attached to his collar…
I do not know the woman’s name but I feel as if I know her personally, since we pass each other on an almost daily basis. This week our eyes met briefly, while I was waiting at a stoplight where she and her furry companion had paused at an intersection. We smiled at each other and I waved. She nodded in response and smiled back.
Several months ago one of my friends told me about this woman. The story is that she suffers from MS and walks daily, with her dog, to keep herself moving…literally moving…so that the effects of the disease don’t take over her body as quickly.
I am not sure how accurate this story is or if there is any truth to it at all.
But what I am sure of is what I witness whenever I see her. Rain, snow, sleet, heat…this gentle soul is walking, with her dog…every morning, up and down that sidewalk.
She is the definition of perseverance. One step at a time she continues her journey and despite the odds in front of her, she keeps moving forward.
I have always admired people like her. People with what I like to call “quiet strength”.
They do not seek the spotlight. They are not interested in looking for recognition and yet what they do and how they behave, inspires the rest of us who are watching.
I’ve been blessed to personally know many people like this woman.
They may be working through cancer treatments or battling chronic illnesses.
They may be single parents, trying their best to work two jobs and raise their children.
They may be caregivers of an elderly family member.
They may be working on an exercise or weight-loss program to improve their health.
They may be dealing with the effects of mental illness or striving to overcome addictions.
Whatever their stories are, and we all have stories to tell, they go about their everyday lives trying to become a better, stronger version of their previous self.
As I have said before, if we are lucky in this life, we are surrounded by a great supporting cast. Those who are there for us when we need them. They may be family members, friends or even have four legs and follow us loyally while attached to a leash…
Take a moment and think about those people in your life. Perhaps you yourself are one of those people…filled with quiet strength…
Don’t forget to reach out to others and let them know how much you admire them.
Even if it is just a shared smile at an intersection…
What do you think?
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Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here’s this week’s:
This week’s Smile Video
After he was diagnosed with ALS, Craig Reagan’s friends came together, putting in hundreds of hours to restore his 1973 Ford Mustang, which he had owned since high school. Steve Hartman has the story in “On the Road.”
#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos
How to Help Maui
Here are a few ways to help those dealing with the devastating fires in Maui:
Hawaii Community Foundation - https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
United Way - https://mauiunitedway.org/disasterrelief
Maui Food Bank - https://mauifoodbank.org/donate/
What I am reading…
I have been reading the book You’re On Your Own (But I’m Here If You Need Me) by Marjorie Savage, on and off all summer and I’ve renewed it three times at my local library.
The Amazon summary is as follows: “Parents whose kids are away at college have a tough tightrope to walk: they naturally want to stay connected to their children, yet they also need to let go. What's more, kids often send mixed messages: they crave space, but they rely on their parents' advice and assistance. Not surprisingly, it's hard to know when it's appropriate to get involved in your child's life and when it's better to back off.
You're On Your Own (But I'm Here If You Need Me) helps parents identify the boundaries between necessary involvement and respect for their child's independence. Marjorie Savage, who as a parent herself empathizes with moms and dads, but who as a student services professional understands kids, offers advice on wide-ranging issues, including:
• How to cope with your family's mood changes in the months before move-in day on campus
• Why students complain about the food but still manage to gain fifteen pounds their first year
• How to teach basic financial responsibility, including the handling of credit cards and academic expenses
• When parental intervention is critical
With anecdotes and suggestions from experienced parents and college staff nationwide, the strategies and tips provided throughout will help you to create a loving, supportive partnership responsive to the needs of both you and your children.”
Books like this have helped me with advice and guidance and this one is definitely worth your time if you have a child starting or going through college.
Sharing Family Favorites…
Last month I shared a tribute to my mother entitled Love Made Visible. This week I am sharing another one of her recipes from her cookbook.
This Week’s TED Talk - Grit: the power of passion and perseverance
Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success.
Mind/Body Connections
Release all stress and strain in this relaxing guided meditation with Dr. Bernie Siegel. See the world and your challenges as a classroom of resources. As you change your view on what you currently face today, knowledge, insight and solutions appear easily and effortlessly. As you sink deeper into a relaxed state, you’ll instantly feel calmer and more empowered as the worries fade away, if only for thirty minutes.
Children’s Corner
Back in 1999, when I was an elementary school librarian, I started a project where I wrote letters (old fashioned, printed letters) to a variety of famous people. This was prior to the daily use of email and text messages. My questions were simple…
1) From your own life experiences, how has reading affected your life in a positive manner?
2) Was there any particular person or experience in your life that made you aware of the value of literature and the importance of reading?
I am going to share these letters and let you experience the joy many of my students (and myself) have gotten from their touching words - Here is this week’s:
Substack Selection
This week’s Substack selection is the newsletter I’m Really Very Literary - “In a thousand words or less, I’ll show you my heart… and I’ll encourage you to do the same.
It might be a sweeping declaration, a realization about life, a BIG moment, or a small one. It could be one of the nagging bittersweet thoughts that roll through my head when I realize I have built a life where I can’t turn my head without seeing something I’m grateful for… and that this almost didn’t happen.”
I absolutely love Emily’s writing and I think you will too!
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Lately I have been going back to the music of my youth. Here is one of my favorite bands of all time:
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….