As we got to the gate, she found a gate clerk (I don’t know what you call them, ha) to make sure we were at the right gate and then we waited. As we waited she told me about everything she went through while he was gone. This young woman did not have an easy time. I will say she is one strong woman. Luckily, her gorgeous mom was around to help her get through all of it. What amazed me the most was through it all she remained positive and strong in her faith.

I could feel her anxiety as she checked her phone to see if he had texted her. I felt for her, there is nothing in the world better than holding the love of your life after six grueling months of separation. There is no comparison.

He finally did text her to say his plane was taxing, he loved her and he would see her in a bit tears just filled her eyes and it took everything in me to keep my composure. She started pacing and was diligently watching the gate. He was home, now all she wanted was to be in his arms. The look on their faces when they saw each other was just so happy and warm. The love that this couple shares is amazing and refreshing. Here are some images of their beautiful reunion. Enjoy!

There was nothing logical about the match, There was no way you could have scripted it, there was no way you could have anticipated it, there was no way you could have imagined that 2 minutes would mean so much and would change so much. If you are a Manchester United player or a supporter, like me you wish you would have seen it coming, but nothing in the world could have prepared you for it.

Its amazing how people can be so moved, can be so inspired, can be so angered …. football is a sport that can literally make you cry and no matter who you supported, when you saw the field filling up with those Man City supporters you would have cried, because it was a victory that they fought very hard for and they really deserved it, every minute of it.

I loved it when they interviewed City manager about why they won, he  said something to the effect because we wanted it.

As simple as that.

So congratulations to the players and the supporters and everyone else who witnessed this.

But Something exciting happened last night, Manchester City won the premiership league after 44 years of trying, and gave us 2 minutes that we would never forget.

I want to be with her
who knows secret things
secrets that hang precariously like drops
of honey from her lips
falling through space and
ringing like tiny bells that only
she
can
hear

I want to be with her
who splits the sea breezes
with excited horses
and waves lapping the soothed sand
as
I savor the saltwater
off her skin
inch
by
inch

I want to be with her
as the universe awakens
electric
where you are the first morning
and nothing in the world
is
usual
today

Copyright © 2012 Paul Matsumoto. All Rights Reserved
Image Source

So, what does persistence mean to you?  Quite honestly, for most of us persistence is kind of a scary word.  It has that open-ended feel to it of not quite knowing when the end of a task is going to come.  Yet, it’s that determination to see something through to the very end that ultimately determines your victory!

I’m assuming that we all want to be successful, otherwise why would we attempt anything at all.  I mean, who is actually going to say “I want to fail”, right?  There is a difference between people who would like to succeed and people who refuse to lose, though.  That difference is the willingness to believe without currently seeing the results.

How often have you seen someone begin a new task or venture with high hopes and excitement only to bottom out and throw in the towel after 1 or 2 setbacks?  Winners look at the situation and adapt.  They try, fail, and adjust!  They keep the belief of ultimate success, moving forward, even when the results haven’t manifested themselves yet.  Winners remain persistent!

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”  Calvin Coolidge

Unfortunately, disappointments are going to happen.  There is no getting around that.  Rarely does anything happen exactly the way we plan or anticipate.  The important thing is to keep on pursuing and pushing toward the desired result.  As long as you continue to chase your dream, you are building the world that you envision for yourself and your family.  No one else may see it.  In fact, others may feel you’re wasting your time until you reach your goal and everyone says “WOW! How did that happen?”

We always need to remember to keep re-setting the goal, until we get it.  Don’t be the type of person who sets a goal and sits back to wait for the miracle to happen.  That just means you’ve got a really big wish!  We all need to create a habit of looking forward, knowing where we want to go, regardless of what it looks like now.

As you progress through the development of your dream/goal it’s good to remember that everything happens in seasons.  First, you have the idea (winter) and start laying the foundation of what you are wanting to accomplish.  Second, you begin to flesh out the plan (spring) and put the framework together.  This is usually when a great deal of hard work occurs, but not necessarily a lot of growth.  Third, everything starts moving and progressing in the direction you desire and anticipate (summer).  Growth begins to happen but, very few tangible results.  Finally, results start happening from seemingly everywhere (harvest time).  You can see this progression on any farm.

The problem is that people have a tendency to give up before “harvest time” occurs.  People decide it’s not worth it and move on.  The winners stick it out, they persist.  This does not imply that doing the same thing over and over is the best manner of attack.  It does mean, keep the ultimate goal in mind and adjust as needed until success has occurred.

“My strength lies solely in my tenacity.”  Louis Pasteur

“Commitment to continuity creates emotional stability.”  Anonymous

Be persistent.  Refuse to lose.  Find your dream and hold on tight.  Keep working toward it until you’ve achieved what you want.  Find people to partner with that will help and encourage your success and not hold you back.  If you have that group, don’t take it for granted.  Utilize their strengths.  If you are looking for a team to be a part of  CLICK HERE and see if we can help.  Don’t try and succeed on your own, but be PERSISTENT in striving toward your goal!

EPITAPH I

He suffered from nothing in the world
The way he suffered from his corns;
He didn’t even feel so badly
About having been created ugly.
Thought he wouldn’t utter the Lord’s name
Unless his shoe pinched,
He couldn’t be considered a sinner either.
It’s a pity Süleyman Efendi had to die.

EPITAPH II

For him “To be or not to be”
Was no problem at all;
He went to sleep one night
And just didn’t wake up again.
They came and carried him away;
He was washed, prayed for and buried.
When his creditors hear of his death,
They’ll surely release him of his debts.
As for the money owed to him,
Well, nobody owed the poor soul a penny.

EPITAPH III

They put his rifle back in the depot
And gave his uniform to some other man.
No more bread crumbs in his kit-bag
Nor lip-marks on his canteen.
Such was the gust of wind
It carried him off his feet,
Not even his name was remembered.
Just a couplet he scribbled was left
On the wall of the mess hall:
“Death is God’s will,
But if only there were no parting.”