Try again, with adjustment

Perseverance is a virtue. It might not be too appreciated nowadays, as most people feel they don’t have the time to try, try again (as the old saying suggests). They want to achieve everything rapidly so, if they see that something takes a longer time, they tend to quit and… look for something else, elsewhere. Although I am a true believer in perseverance, and therefore I don’t need any “proof” of its importance, yet I recently had a couple of experiences which, in spite of being of little importance, gave me the opportunity to reflect on the subject. As everything in our world follows a certain, well defined pattern, starting from the tiny to the huge, from the microcosm (infinitely small) to the macrocosm (infinitely large), any wisdom we can grasp from a trivial situation can be also applied to more important happenings.
I wanted to post something on my Facebook page but it seemed that I could not do it exactly the way I want. I tried several times without succeeding. Finally, I decided to desist, but only temporarily. The following day I tried again and, after a few failed attempts, I decided to slightly change the way I wanted my post to appear and… I finally succeeded. I never thought of giving up, but I also accepted to be flexible and make the changes that allowed me to achieve my goal. I realized that at times, while pursuing our goal, we might need to modify the “way” we are proceeding.
Another episode took place concerning a language book I was planning to purchase. I already have several on the same subject, but they do not correspond to my needs. They are just phrase booklets for tourists while I want to actually learn the language. So I decided to find a better, more complete program. I started my search, which seemed to be unsuccessful. First bookstore: They had something rather suitable, but not exactly what I had in mind. Next bookstore: They, too, didn’t have what I was looking for. Third shop, closed. I decided to wait. I was a little annoyed because I had counted on starting my study right away but… here we go again! When things don’t go exactly according to our plans, we must be patient. Thus, I waited and I later got back to the store that I had previously found closed. There I finally found the book I wanted. “Almost”. Again, it was not “exactly” the program I had in mind, but it was more than acceptable. In the end I was able to begin my study. In front of the first difficulties, I didn’t make a big change such as switching to another language or giving up my search. I persisted in looking for what I really wanted and I finally got it. Well, let’s say I got 85% of it, which is an excellent percentage.
It may happen that, while starting a new enterprise, you see yourself facing difficulties or delays. But you should never forget that challenges are the “normal” status in our world. Some things go smoothly, others do not. You are used to being happy now and to being sad soon after, to finding a green light first and right afterwards a red one, aren’t you? You are familiar with “opposites” because life is like a battery: One side is positive, the other is negative. This is what happens in the atom, where opposite charges create an inner balance. Now, isn’t the atom the basic unit of a chemical element? And isn’t the atom the microcosm that reflects the whole Universe?
In conclusion, according to the old adage that says, “If you first don’t succeed, try, try again”, you can be assured that steadfastness in pursuing your aim will take you to the arrival line. You might need to stop every now and then for a rest, you might have to take a couple of detours because of road works but… when you are on the right track, you “know” that you will reach your destination.

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