“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for some-thing, and that this thing…must be attained.” – Marie Curie
Good morning! What a wonderful quote Karen found in her Franklin Planner by Curie. So often we become sidetracked by looking at what is unfair or not “just” in our lives. We can count our bruises and wonder “why isn’t this easier?” But this quote holds the realization that “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?”
It is important to accept that fact and quit looking for the “easy way” — because there isn’t one. Instead, we need to develop the traits that Curie suggests — “perseverance, confidence and our special gifts.” Life itself will never be easy, but we can develop the strengths and skills to make our life easier.
When we approach life with a centered and confi-dent purpose, obstacles become stepping stones and fears become smaller. Life itself hasn’t changed, but we have. We have learned to look past our immediate ego to the bigger purpose of contributing and living fully.
Your Turn:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you know your purpose? Likewise, on a scale of 1 to 10, how strong is your confidence? What is one step you can take today to build in either of these areas?
Your Affirmation: I approach life from a centered and confident self.
This is a great quote. I kind of balked at the “not easy” part, but realized it’s all in how you look at and perceive your life. Knowing your life purpose and having self-confidence ARE the keys!
Thank you for this insight…
Susan
I admit that lately, I am truly struggling with the “purpose” part of this equation. It’s funny, although I know I SHOULD have/or know my purpose, the minute I get close to discovering it, I start to fill up with doubt and reasons why “it” can’t happen. I guess that’s the confidence part as well. So…..I have work to do in both of these areas. I think we ALL do to one extent or another. But I truly envy those who seem to know their purpose and pursue it with passion and determination.
This is something I really have to work on…thanks for giving me THAT purpose!! : )
Maureen (Oh…I’m definitely a poptimist! I love that word!)
WOW! I have to agree with this quote in all totallity! Life is NOT easy, but SO WHAT??? Would you really want it to be? I mean, how boring! How would we grow as a person? How would we ever achieve our dreams or pursue them for that matter, if life was so “easy”? How would we define ourselves and find our true purpose in life? But, most of all, would we truly appreciate the things that we receive and acheive when we had to work hard for them or go through serious trials and tribulations to get if they were just handed to us? I do not think we would.
In school all subjects came very easy to me. I earned A’s an B’s. Alegbra was a struggle for me and I had to work VERY hard at it just to understand it! I had to out in extra hours of study after school with the teacher and at home with my parents and yes, the dreaded tutor, who did happen to be my cousin, so it was not all that bad, but I did have to WORK HARD! When I earned a B, it was the best feeling of accomplishment because it did NOT come easy to me! I worked my tushie off for it! It was much more rewarding then all of the other grades because it showed me that I COULD do it, perservere when things got tough! Imagine all of the things that we could all do if we just tried harder and never gave up?
I taught elementary school for almost 10 years and at the time of my life, that was my purpose…to teach kids. I left 7 years ago to be home with my family. WHen my youngest was almost 2 and did not “need” my as much anymore, I questioned that A LOT! I was bored out of my mind for something to do! So, I painted my entire house, but when that was done, I “needed” something else to do-another purpose if you will….
Three years ago, I started working from home and my purpose quickly returned! My teaching skills are back in play, but in a toitally different way! I educate people on the toxins in the products that they are using in their homes and their harmful effects and also how to earn an extra income (if they want) just by doing the same. It has given me a renewed sense of purpose to help others in this way. I had “lost” myself as so many moms do during those early years with the little ones. Do NOT get me wrong, I would do it all again if given a chance, but I needed another purpose when the purpose of caring for little ones was completed. I think our purpose in life can change and for most people I think it does. Follow your heart, do what you love, and do it with PASSION!
I love this quote and it is so applicable for me at this time in my life. My purpose has been to raise my children, and now that they are “raised” I am struggling with finding a new purpose. I guess the best way to do that is to just get started doing something if you do not now that purpose. In the doing we will discover our purpose.
I have been going about it backwardly, I have been waiting for my purpose to come to me. But through reading these articles and the responses, I am “seeing” that I have to get involved, on purpose.
Thank you Brook! You have a great purpose, and I am going to get one too.!!