Ripples #1,005: Relentless Pursuits.
Aug 27, 2018
PEBBLE
Gradual pressure, relentlessly applied.
-Dick Mantis
shared by David in Lexington, KY
BOULDER
I don’t think you should just do what makes you happy. Do what makes you great. Do what’s uncomfortable and scary and hard but pays off in the long run. Let yourself fail. Fail and pick yourself up and fail again. Without that struggle, what is your success anyway?
-Charlie Day
shared by Lorene in North Royalton, OH
PONDER
I’ve spent the last few weeks on several college campuses firing up anxious-yet-excited new students as well as some remarkable student leaders (welcome to over 1,000 new ripplers from Findlay, Tiffin, Heidelberg, Central Michigan, and Plymouth State!).
Over and over again, one of the central components of each of these pep talks was encouraging people to experience life’s inevitable challenges as opportunities for growth and mastery. It frustratingly true that while the easy days are often more enjoyable, they just don’t help us grow as much as the tough days. If your workout weights aren’t heavy enough, they will do nothing to strengthen your muscles.
In four simple words, today’s pebble reminds us to keep our efforts manageable AND to keep them coming. Our fishy pal Dory says the same thing in only three words, “Just Keep Swimming!” The boulder wants us to to remember that it is our struggles more than our successes that strengthen us.
I don’t wish any particular difficulties for you, but since they will eventually show up on their own, I do hope you’ll consider greeting them as friends, or at least as respectable adversaries who will help you train for even tougher battles that may lie ahead.
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
