Some People Give Up… -Daily Meditation 10.24.23

Today’s quotation:

Some people give up their designs when they have almost reached their goal, while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous effort than before. -Polybius

Today’s Meditation:

Sometimes, we’re determined to get something done and do amazing things.  Even if there’s no way that we will achieve what we’re trying to do, we somehow make it happen, and we’re amazed at ourselves and our efforts.  When we look back at what we’ve done, we do so with pride and satisfaction.  Somehow, our determination has outweighed all other factors, and we’ve persevered and succeeded.

What would it take to tap into that determination all the time?  After all, the significant difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is when they decide to give up–those who follow don’t give up, and that is all the difference between the two people.  If we can convince ourselves that our perseverance is worth it, then we can find more success in our lives and have more accomplishments to look back on in life.

It’s not easy, of course, but what in this life that has actual value comes easily to us?  Determination is a decision made repeatedly when things get tough, and if we stay determined, we can accomplish whatever we set out to do, no matter the obstacles.  If we decide to be determined, we can avoid failure and find success, making determination easier to access the next time we need it.  It often requires us to be very strong to keep on going when it seems that we’ve failed, but even if we don’t achieve our desired results, our determination will show us that we’re capable of great effort even when we’re not feeling strong.

Many people climb only halfway up the mountain.  If that was their original goal, then good for them!  But if our goal is to get to the top, then we should do all that we can to make that goal, as long as it’s realistic (no chasms in our way) and we’re able to do so (a broken leg is a broken leg, after all!).  When we tap into our determination, we learn a lot about ourselves, and we provide ourselves with further strength for the future–after all, if I’ve done it once, I can do it again, no?

Questions to consider:

Why is it so easy to give up on something before we’ve accomplished it?

What are some of the major obstacles we face when we try to be determined?

Remember when you were determined to do something, and you did it?  What did you get out of the experience?

For further thought:

With all the infinite possibilities of spiritual life before you, do not settle down on a little patch of dusty ground at the mountain’s foot in restful content.  Be not content until you reach the mountain’s summit. -J.R. Miller

If you missed our last Daily Meditation, it is here.