Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance

   [pur-suh-veer-uhns]  Show IPA

–noun

1.

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state,etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, ordiscouragement.

2.

Theology . continuance in a state of grace to the end,leading to eternal salvation.

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The last two years has been incredibly hard on me and my family.  We have all been through a lot of private, personal triumphs and have shed an endless amount of tears. 

I also acknowledge that the people around me have had problems too.  From having devastating heath issues, having loved ones with chronic illnesses, those who have lost loved ones, some who have children with drug problems, people having to do without and barely able to survive, living paycheck-to-paycheck, losing a parent, losing a brother, losing a friend, losing a lover. 

The beauty in life doesn't exist in the big picture - what job you have, what kind of car you drive or if your house is on a cul-de-sac.  What matters are the little things and knowing that when you are struggling that all you have to do is reach out and there are people there to help you.  I have learned that whoever is supposed to be there for that moment - will be.  I am trying to live my life that way.  To try to find my purpose and contribution to every situation.  If God puts me in communication with someone, that its for a reason and every encounter with another person is an opporturnity to change a life - either yours or theirs.  There are some you teach and some you learn from.  Be receptive to both, they are both necessary parts of a balanced life.