 Spiritual: December 12, 2007 Issue [#2111] |
  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: larryp
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When the world says, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
~~Author unknown
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
~~Author unknown
(In my search of the standard search vehicles, I could not find the true author of either of the above quotes.)
larryp - new member of the Spiritual Newletter editors
kansaspoet
Larry |
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In times of adversity and failure, life becomes about perseverance, faith, and tenacity. At times, it will be like going against all odds to accomplish dreams and goals. Most times, there will be two voices. One voice will tell you that it's not worth it, the struggle is too hard. When you listen to this voice, discouragement sets in – disheartened, the end result may be to give up. Another voice tells you that you have what it takes; this set-back is another stepping stone, a learning experience. Though disappointed with the set-back, when you listen to this voice, you find a way to move ahead, to take the next step.
We need to believe in what we are trying to accomplish. Recently, my wife and I watched the movie Amazing Grace. In his efforts to rid the world of the monstrous business of slave trading, William Wilberforce met much resistance. Many voices told him to give up. A few voices, including his wife, encouraged him to keep going, against all odds. Wilberforce firmly and passionately believed in his goal to abolish slavery. As a result of his hard work and tenacity, slave trading in the British Empire came to an end.
There will always be the voice of opposition; sometimes that voice may come from within. If we listen closely, there will be the voice that says keep going, you have what it takes to get this thing done. Often, these words of encouragement will come from a few close friends; listen to them and begin to encourage yourself. This may require getting alone in an isolated place. In the movie “Amazing Grace,” Wilberforce often escaped into the open fields, where he sat alone, praying and meditating. Here he escaped the voices of the nay-sayers.
As writers and humans, we face adversity and failure. Best-selling author John Grisham has almost become a household name. His books line the shelves of many bookstores and supermarkets. Few people know that his first novel “A Time to Kill” was rejected over thirty times before it was finally published. John Grisham is quoted as saying: Ten years from now I plan to be sitting here, looking out over my land. I hope I'll be writing books, but if not, I'll be on my pond fishing with my kids. I feel like the luckiest guy I know. Had he given up, John Grisham could not say these words.
Success is not easily achieved or measured; rarely, if ever, does it come easily.
General Douglas MacArthur was a noted leader of American forces in World War II; he signed the peace treaty that ended the war with Japan. Before his acceptance into West Point Academy, he was rejected twice. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying: Aging wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.
Nobel prize-winning novelist and poet Rudyard Kipling once received a rejection letter from one of the biggest newspapers in the USA saying that he didn't “know how to use the English language.” Rudyard Kipling is quoted as saying: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve you turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
British leader Winston Churchill inspired his country and the allied forces in World War II against great odds. He is one of the most quoted politicians in history. Before attaining success, he overcame a speech impediment to become a noted orator. Twice he failed admission exams to the Royal Military College before passing and attaining entry. He met many political setbacks before becoming the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying: Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.
World-famous opera singer and one of the most noted tenors in history Enrico Caruso was raised in abject poverty. A music teacher once told him he had no voice at all and couldn't sing. Enrico Caruso is quoted as saying: A big chest, a big mouth, 90 percent memory, 10 percent intelligence, lots of hard work, and something in the heart.
Pianist and composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski (also the third Prime Minister of Poland) was told by one of his music instructors that “his hands were too small to master the keyboard.” He was so committed to his art that he once said, If I miss one day of practice, I notice it. If I miss two days, the critics notice it. If a miss three days, the audience notices it.
Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist Albert Einstein was described by his schoolteachers as mentally slow, unsociable and adrift in foolish dreams.. Those 'foolish dreams' developed such things as the theory of relativity. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying: A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.
The negative voice will call you 'adrift in foolish dreams.' It will do all it can to influence you to quit. The other voice will say that the world needs dreamers – “Hold on!” Thomas Edison made over a thousand attempts at inventing a light bulb before finding the combination that worked correctly. One of his schoolteachers called him 'addled.' Thomas Edison is quoted as saying: Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. Like most dreamers who accomplish things in life, he had a different take on failure: I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
As writers, we can glean insight from the experiences of others. In her book Write His Answer, Marlene Bagnull speaks of the “Deadly D's” for writers – disappointment, discouragement, doubt, and despair. The “Deadly D's” come from many directions, while encouragement seems to be doled out in small doses. A bad review or a rejection letter is not the end of the world nor does it make you less of a person or writer. Failure is part of life – a part that is best taken as a learning experience. Success is not a reason to stop, but a time to try something new. I once had an employer who said that the reward for a job well-done was 'the chance to do it all over again tomorrow.' There is much truth to that statement.
With faith, perseverance, and tenacity, hold on to your dreams and keep moving forward. Novelist Virginia Wolff once said: Literature is strewn with the wreckage of men who have minded beyond reason the opinions of others.
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revdbob 
Thank you for your own reflections int he previous weeks Spiritual Newsletter. I especially noted and want to remember your distinction between meditation and contemplation/reflection. I think it is a good and useful one, which had not really occurred to me before.
While bad experiences and deeds can certainly increase depression, it is a pity that just doing what is right cannot always lift it; although I think it does ease it. You did well here. Take heart.
Best, Bob
Pen Name
Dear Kansas Poet Larry,
Thank you for writing such a top-notch Spiritual Newsletter. Reading it was both validation for my feelings, and food for my hungry spirit. It takes a special person to share personal struggles so that others may benefit. We thank God for bringing you the counselor, and for giving you the humility to listen to what was then a totally foreign concept.
Sincerely,
Lotusneko
windac
Larry, I thoroughly enjoyed this issue of the SNL. Your honest commentary was in itself soothing to this soul. Thank you for sharing!
Helen McNicol
Larry,
A great newsletter. I could relate to it immediately; everything you said touched a nerve. Recently everything felt out of place and I arranged an afternoon for several close friends to get together and have a 'well woman' afternoon. I invited a Medium and we all had readings. When I had mine she quickly picked up the reason I had organised the day was for my own spiritual healing. She said I once had great spiritual power but I had been hurt, and now put up a wall around me, blocking off that side of myself. It really touched a nerve with me, it was like she was looking right into my soul. She said once I learned to open up and say what was on my mind I would be at peace and would become the person I was supposed to be.
Everyone at that afternoon took something special away with them. They had fantastic readings; I was left feeling like I had achieved something to better myself and be closer to those around me.
Regards,
Helen
donald
Dear,Larry I know what u are going through,with this illness called depression.Larry I have found by lissening to My Utmost for His Highest: Quiet Prayers, by Bryan Duncan it is a CD or Tape pick it up from your nearest Christian Book store I think u will be very surprised how by lisining to it over and over it will take you out of this...Don.
Daizy May 
Larry, what a good newsletter. Once again, I appreciate your insight into matters of the soul.
Nancy (daizy)
Lou-Here By His Grace
"It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
Mahatma Gandhi
Excellent quote!
Great Newsletter!
Katya the Poet
Wow! What a great newsletter. Thanks for your insights here
Spiritual Newsletter Editors:
Sophurky 
Puditat
kittiara
larryp
We appreciate your feedback.
Next week's editor: Sophurky
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