Perseverance

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got a second. ~ William James

I'm taking a little break from cleaning closets to watch "Meet The Press". The panel is discussing the life of Senator Edward Kennedy and the theme that rings constant among notes about his dedication to his family, constituency, and his country is the theme of perseverance. The late legislator lived a life of tragedy and recovery, even of incredible public embarrassment and yet he continued on with the work he felt was important, the work he felt he was born to do. He persevered.

I met with friends for our "Second Saturday" last night. No, it wasn't the second Saturday of the month but it was long overdue and we were (most of us) available, so we gathered for a meal and a discussion around the table. The purpose of the meals is to cook together with friends and to try to focus the conversations on current topics of politics, ethics, etc. We enjoyed a Cajun meal of crab cakes, muffalletas and jambalaya and settled into the topics of the day. We soon came around to the death of Kennedy. The common thread that we kept coming back to was how disturbing it is to see the media and some of our acquaintances, even some of our friends bashing the man for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969. We each, to a person, stated that it was a terrible thing, horrible. Then we started talking about our own mistakes. We've all made them, some of them devastating. The thing is we've been able to continue on with our lives, as did Kennedy - with the exception of the vilifying he received by his political enemies. He persevered.

Where would so many of the people Kennedy helped be if he had given up? What would the political climate of our country be if he had laid down, if he hadn't pushed for his second wind?

In the face of adversity, whatever it may be, I need to think of really extending myself. I have much more reserve than I realize. The Kennedy brothers weren't superhuman. They were oh-so-human. They proved it time and again. They simply pushed through and past adversity. They looked at their goals and persevered.

Today I lift up my gratitude for the role models in my life. I realize that the trait I admire most in them is their strength and their belief in their ability to get through the most difficult of situations. I feel thankful to have their examples in my life.