Courage to continue
As always, a new year is the catalyst for progress. We customarily kick off a new year with a brand-new resolution or desired goals. Envisaging the moment of realizing goals certainly gives us a thrill and greatly cheers us to move forward. But there is a caveat. Things do not always go as planned. And the beginning of a new year is not an exception. It just happened to me in the first week of this New Year.
I made an achievable New Year’s resolution, which was to become a more warm-hearted and considerate person. In a nutshell, I wish to put my quick temper under control all the time. So, I started my new year with the expectation of becoming a person with more patience and inclusiveness. Shockingly, I sabotaged my own plan in the first week of this New Year. My unhelpful patterns of behavior were instantly displayed when a cashier mistakenly calculated my purchase. With a disapproving look on my face, I was filled with rage and demonstrated disrespectful behavior to the employee. Shortly after, I realized I had done something very embarrassing. A similar thing happened on the following day and the same pattern of my shameful behavior was displayed. My never-ending short temper has already wreaked havoc on my New Year’s plan. It seemed my goal for the New Year had already become increasingly out of reach. I ended up becoming frustrated due to my lack of progress.
Feeling incompetent, having emotional exhaustion, and losing confidence in myself, I asked myself "Am I pursuing an ever-elusive goal?" and "Should I succumb to my nature?". At that very moment, I came across the important excerpt from the book "Grit" by Angela Duckworth: We need to develop the capacity for long-term perseverance and resilience. A light bulb went off for me when I recalled the point.
I should be ready for constant failure. Inescapable flaws, in the beginning, are a part of my journey, meaning I should not be discouraged even though I fail from the start. I just need to stay within my set goal. I will be better and better at taming my temper if I consistently keep my goal. Without a try, my aim is nothing more than a far-fetched dream. With a try, I can, at least, be drawn closer to my dream.
Getting a sense of my specific weaknesses and learning when I am most vulnerable are further benefits of being one who strives because a striver can improve their skills. As a striver, I will do it all over again, and again, even though I repeatedly fail. Not letting temporary setbacks become permanent excuses or a reason to quit has now become another New Year’s goal.
Yes, I do have the courage to continue. Today, I am less of a burden because I can now gratefully and willingly accept my flaws as I go along. I know for sure that if I continue tenaciously, then I can eventually grow and flourish by the end of this year.
The writer (faith0906@gmail.com) is keen to explore the world outside the office and loves to weave the stories of our daily lives.