Endurance

My interpretation on what endurance is all about - have an infinite ability to endure the unbearable. In today's world, very few people endured in life challenges, but many people simply quick to give up on anything difficult or even over the simplest task. Many things cannot be achieved overnight, but have to go through the due process - some may takes years to materialize.

Like in one of Asian folklore when a young man asked his elder "How do I endure?"

Then, the elder answered him short and precise, "you endure by enduring."

I think the above statement from TFBH is very true. There is no other ways to endure - but only by enduring the process of endurance itself, then learn and adjust from there.

Persistence: Be Like a River

Let's imagine a mighty river such as the Rajang River in Sarawak. A powerful river gains its natural power, size, and landscape from its smaller tributary or contributory rivers. It begins in the higher parts of the catchment; then the rain water run off down the slopes upstream and proceed with its journey to the lower parts towards the open sea.

The water as we can see never get tired in penetrating its long journey to the sea. Water also always consistent in looking for its own level.

I bought a very good motivational poster on persistence of a running water with a picture of a tall waterfall and pasted it on the wall of our common area in the office to keep motivating sales team. Attach here are few photos of a river taken at a famous picnic spot at the foot of Gunung Nuang; Hulu Langat; Selangor.





The poster said something like this:

"In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins... not through strength, but through persistence."

Another poster on the same topic of persistence also said:

"You will need to make many turns and overcome many obstacles to create the path you desire."

Lesson learned: In the same way, in our confrontation between our journeys(in whatever we do) and the obstacles, we also can always win and successful at the end... but remember; it is not through our physical strength per se, but it has something to do with our level of persistence or never give up attitude.

Perseverance

There is very thin line to differentiate between success and failure - perseverance.

Be patient, and persevere. Success comes to those who persevere and make the hopeless call, tolerate late delivery of promises, who never know when to quit.

Some people are very persevere in their process to accomplish their goal. Take medical study for example. Averagely, one needs 4-5 years to complete the whole course to become a doctor. However, there are people may not stand the pressure and at the end unable to complete the course in time or give up half way. For those persevere and able to tolerate the late result for the challenging 4-5 years, the success is beyond reach and possible.

"There is nothing so elastic as the human mind. Like imprisoned steam, the more it is pressed the more it resist the pressure. The more we are obliged to do the more we are able to accomplish." Tryon Edwards (1809 - 1894)