PERSEVERANCE
By Susan Hixon

               As students of Taekwondo, perseverance is to be valued and fostered in our journey

toward excellence.  We are to strive for perfection in our art.   When perfection doesn't come

easily, as it rarely or never does, then we are to keep on seeking and trying.  When stiff joints,

muscle soreness and fatigue make us wonder if we are too old, or too weak, or just plain crazy

for participating in Taekwondo, we are to keep on keeping on!

               Perhaps one of the best examples of perseverance is illustrated in the life of Abraham

Lincoln.  At the age of 22 he failed in business.  He ran for legislature and was defeated when he

was 23.  He failed in business again at 24.  A victory at the age of 25 when he was elected to

legislature would soon be dimmed by sorrow at 26 when his sweetheart died.  At just 27 years old

Abraham Lincoln suffered a nervous breakdown.  Not one to be kept down though he ran for

Speaker of the House at age 29 and was defeated.  He was defeated in a bid for Elector when 31,

and was defeated for Congress at 34.  Another try for Congress was successful as Lincoln was

elected to Congress at age 37.  When he ran again and was defeated at age 39 he did not stop.

Lincoln was defeated at age 46 when he ran for Senate.  He was defeated at 47 in a run for vice

President and defeated again when 49 for a spot in the Senate.   Beyond all the defeats Abraham

Lincoln had one great victory at age 51.  That's when he was elected President of the United

States of America!

               What would our country be like today if Lincoln, one of our most memorable leaders,

had failed to persevere?  Would we be like South Africa, a nation that until very recently was

gripped by the hatred of Apartheid?

               Disappointments and failures are inevitable; but we must persevere!  If we just give up

when we meet with defeat then we will never know the rewards that result from perseverance.

When we are patient, enduring, diligent in our quest for learning Taekwondo, or any life skill, the

result is always improvement.  Any improvement, be it great or small, is a victory!