I have been away because my computer died. As in DEAD. NADA. GONE. So discouraging and so aggravating. Now I am trying to learn a new computer and the one program I used the most changed! I am frustrated with the changes! I don’t have time to “play” with it turn learn but if I don’t, it will only be more frustrating!<\/p>\n
But I’ll get there – eventually.<\/p>\n
I can get really discouraged when\u00a0I try to lend something new and can’t seem to put all the necessary prices in the correct order. Or when I struggle to break a bad habit and fail more often than I succeed. \u00a0Or when I am trying to establish a new, good habit and keep falling back into old ways! Or when I make the same mistake again! \u00a0Or react in a way that caused more damage. I a sure you know the feeling!<\/p>\n
I usually beat myself up with negative self-talk using words like “idiot”, “stupid”. \u00a0Or have thoughts like “Why did you do it that way?”, “Look what you’ve done now.”, “You’ll never get it right.” Or compare myself to someone who is proficient – that just makes me want to quit!<\/p>\n
Negative self-talk is self-destructive. \u00a0But we all do it. We compare ourselves to others and it’s usually not in a favorable way. A couple of years ago my church group had dance lessons. I always wanted to dance but never had the opportunity – it was frowned upon. I thought this would be a great chance to learn with friends. Oh how I tried! Finally the dance instructor took over from my partner to see if he could help. After about 15 minutes of working with me he said,”Why don’t you just go and sit down!” It looks like such fun.The dictionary defines “perseverance” as, “steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.” Tenacity comes to mind.<\/p>\n
It reminds me of a silly song Frank Sinatra sang about the ant and a rubber tree plant. Maybe you remember it!<\/p>\n
“Next time you’re found<\/p>\n
\nWith your chin on the ground
\nThere’s a lot to be learned
\nSo look around<\/p>\n
Just what makes that little old ant
\nThink he’ll move that rubber tree plant
\nAnyone knows an ant, can’t
\nMove a rubber tree plant<\/p>\n
But he’s got high hopes
\nHe’s got high hopes
\nHe’s got high apple pie
\nIn the sky hopes<\/p>\n
So any time you’re gettin’ low
\n‘Stead of lettin’ go, just remember that ant<\/p>\n
Oops, there goes another rubber tree plant
\nOops, there goes another rubber tree plant”<\/p>\n
That is, indeed, silly but the point is made not to give up – even if the task seems impossible.\u00a0I am still tempted to take private dance lessons… it looks like such fun! However, I have no sense of rhythm – none – zip! But\u00a0scripture encourages us “not to be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall keep, if we faint not.” Keep on keeping on.<\/p>\n
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I have been away because my computer died. As in DEAD. NADA. GONE. So discouraging and so aggravating. Now I am trying to learn a new computer and the one program I used the most changed! I am frustrated with the changes! I don’t have time to “play” with it turn learn but if I…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[102,44,103],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dancing","category-hope","category-perseverence"],"yoast_head":"\n