Persevere

I saw a movie today which got me thinking. .

We all start our lives with a well defined idea about how we would like our lives to pan out. We all have dreams when we’re growing up right - “this is what I want to be when I grow up” or ” this is where I will be 10 years from now”, etc, etc. But I wonder what comes of them finally. Do our dreams change? Or maybe we do. A little bit of both perhaps. I don’t really have an answer to that. I am as confused as every single one of you.
When we are young, pure and untouched by the harsh reality that is life, we dream unbounded. We live these dreams in our heads. That’s when we first give flight to our aspirations and allow them to soar high above. It’s like our dreams are nothing but an inevitable fact of life.. it will eventually happen. It has to !!! That’s the kind of confidence we possess. What happens to it then? Where does all that faith we had in our abilities disappear? Somewhere down the road, a doubt seats itself deep inside us. This little devil grows within us until it has consumed the last speck of hope that we might have held onto.
I essentially feel that there are 2 types of people. The first are those who pursue their goals. But like the 99.99% of us who set about trying our luck, they fail. They fall down. . It is as this point that the first type differentiates itself from the second because the former will pick themselves and walk away from it all. For them the satisfaction of having tried (and having failed, mind you) is enough. They can get through life making themselves believe that they did the best they could. They will never be remembered. I, wish to tell you about those who have refused to let hope die and persevered even in the face of adversity. And, how they have thrived..
A few names come to my mind actually. There was a guy called Steve Prefontaine, an American long distance runner. ‘Pre’ as he was fondly called believed that the only way to run a race was to run it hard and flat out until the very end. A move that was unprecedented, cost him his races initially but not what he believed in. . It did not cost him his values. He persevered. He trained harder and did exactly what he had set out to do until he started winning those races. Yes, running them flat and hard until the very end. .
Then, there’s Henri Charriere. Personally, I think ‘Papillon’ is the most poignant tale of perseverance ever told by a man. Jailed for a crime he did not commit and sentenced for life to an island prison from which no man has ever returned alive,here was a man who broke out of that prison on his 14th attempt. The story of his escapes is an inspiration to anyone who has ever tried and failed. If ever a man has succeeded due to sheer hard work , this the is the kind of resolve he would have had. If ever u feel like giving up on a dream, this book is the medicine the doctor prescribed.
And then there’s the story of ' Rudy'. A struggle that is better documented by the movie than my words will ever be able to express. The reason I find this particular movie worth mentioning is that it is a story that teaches you that when you want something bad enough, the world will work with you in helping you achieve those dreams. All you need to do is try. . If ever you thought that you’ve had it tough in life, you should look at this guy. Not only did he survive under the circumstances, he thrived. No wonder then that a man who played for a single game in his entire career as a sportsperson is something to be looked up to. I don’t think of it as a movie. It’s an experience. . .

Anyone who knows me personally would know that I will not stop here. But I’m trying to get a point across here. Not put you to sleep. So...

A common thread weaves through all these individuals. They were all afraid. All had a lot to lose. Some even their lives. But that didn’t stop them from pursuing their dreams. I know it’s difficult to feel that way when we all have a warm bed to sleep in and 3 square meals a day. But, if you have wanted something badly enough, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Yes you will fail at first. Success is a lousy teacher anyway. But keep at it. You’ll know what it takes to get there. PERSEVERE. It means different things to different people. I have a simple definition - A man‘s got to do what a man’s got to do. . It’s that simple. There are no exceptions. No ‘ifs’ to fall back upon. You want it. . You’ll know what you have to do. Just go right ahead and do it.
Just Remember: the race belongs not only to the swift and strong- but also to those who keep on running.
There will be times you will want to just give it all up. But learn to pick up the pieces and walk. Like I said , if u want it bad enough, you’ll know how. Everybody has to learn to walk their own baby steps.
I am no teacher . I am no sage. I am as flawed as anyone else my age. I have no authority to advise anyone. But what I would like to say to you is that it’s okay to be afraid. Acknowledge the fear. Be aware of it’s presence, but don’t cower in front of your challenges. Don’t be bogged down by the consequences that you may have to endure. Instead, use this fear to fuel the fire that burns inside you. Let this fire burn like the fires of hell. Allow it to consume you. Allow this fire to consume your reality. Burn in it. . .Cos only when the fire of your efforts has charred your reality to ashes , will the Phoenix of your dreams arise.
And oh! How it will soar…