By Qarol Price
For all of you playing along, (as you ought to), October is the month to contemplate the virtue of perseverance in the county of Johnston. As with all JCPS character traits of the month, much contemplation is required. Without stopping to give these character concepts some thought, we might forget the business of building character all together – and Lord knows we cannot afford to do that!
So how should one begin to think about perseverance? I know, you might say, “How hard is it to understand? It just means to work hard and don’t give up.” But is that the end of the matter?
Okay, it’s not so deep and complicated. But is knowing the mere definition of perseverance enough? Of course not. As with most things, you don’t fully “get it” until you’ve done it. Being able to demonstrate or embody perseverance is the name of the game. Being able (and willing) to persevere is an achievement and cannot be accomplished unless you employ a good helping of self-discipline (August’s character trait of the month). But that is only if you want to be in command of yourself.
You never really master yourself if you give in to temptations. Perseverance is the juice you need to stick to that hard work or to stay away from those fatal diversions. To be a master, we must translate that knowledge into action and expression. But that is easier said than done. Take me, exhibit A: I know darn well what perseverance means and I know how much better off I’d be using it -yet when it comes to the task of decluttering my home, my intention to persist through the drudgery becomes the agony of defeat when my “effort streak” desists.
This is where all that contemplation should have come into play. Instead, I was easily tempted by the comforts of the couch while failing to hold steadfast in my mind the greater pleasure and benefits of a decluttered home. Had I done the thinking and not given into the lazy feelings, I would have visualized my way to success.
Sometimes it’s a matter of customizing the carrot on the proverbial stick to suit our particular temperament. We must be clever about wooing ourselves into achieving our difficult goals. This is why, I might add, that it is important to “know thyself.”
What motivates you? Besides chocolate, are you aware of the things that have the sheer power to get you to jump through the gnarliest of hoops? Can you charm your own heart into having a strong enough desire to do really hard things to accomplish your goals? Me? I’ve learned with some things, still learning with others.
Perseverance itself takes perseverance! But we keep at it because in the process we are learning not only a better means to reach our desired goals, but also more about ourselves, our strengths, our weaknesses, and our wits. As we grow and stretch, in pursuing whatever specific prize we seek, we are winning an extraordinarily important goal: a virtuous character.
Next Month: Responsibility
