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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Archive Thursday: Don't be discouraged.

Source
Discouragement.

A word whose definition reads:

The feeling of despair in the face of obstacles.

It's that feeling in the pit of your stomach that says, "maybe you should just give up."



Or the voice in your head that taunts you, chanting: 

"You're just not good enough."
"They're much better than you."
"No one likes you."
"Why are you wasting your time?"
"You'll never succeed in life."
"You're such a failure."
"Look at what you did."

And on and on it goes . . .

When I thought about what topic I wanted to write on next, discouragement seemed like the obvious choice.

You see, as I write this, I'm not only trying to motivate you, I'm trying to keep myself from being ripped to shreds by the talons of discouragement.

Recently, I've found myself struggling to silence the voices in my head that keep me from moving forward. The overwhelming fear of failure and rejection is exactly what the voices of discouragement need to stop me dead in my tracks. When I decided to step away from my career as a teacher and go full steam ahead with my dreams, never had I imagined I would be met with this much resistance. 

Resistance not from the outside, but from myself. 

The constant feeling that my "build something from nothing" dream would end up being just nothing in the end. Sometimes I stop and ask myself, what is it that I'm doing wrong? Am I too critical? Did I say something wrong? Or is it just me?

Have you found yourself in a similar situation lately?

As I contemplated giving up my dream and returning to the comforts of my teaching career, I came across a number of quotes that seemingly steered me back to the right path and I want to share them with you:

 The Uncertainties of Life
 Send your grain across the seas,
    and in time, profits will flow back to you.
But divide your investments among many places,
    for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.
When clouds are heavy, the rains come down.
    Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.
    If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.
Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.
-Ecclesiastes 11

 Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That’s not the place to become discouraged. 
– Thomas Edison

 "Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was."
-Richard L. Evans
 
 Never let the odds keep you from doing
what you know in your heart you were meant to do.
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 
 

I hope these few excerpts will inspire you to press on as they have been doing for me. 

The craziest thing is, as soon as we're about to give up, that's when our moment of break through arrives. If we just keep pressing forward past our feelings of discouragement, we will overcome what seems like the end and start living in a new, glorious beginning.  

16 comments:

  1. Those definitely inspired me. I am like you Vonae, when I found myself seriously pursuing my dreams I realized that I was my biggest cheerleader and critic. I found myself questioning everything out of fear that I wouldn't succeed and that I was wasting my time. The other day I came across a article and it said, "Everything you want wants you too!" That gave me such an inner peace! It talked about how we are wired to soothe ourselves from pain which is why we focus so much on the negative. It said if we take what we are afraid of, i.e. rejection, and looked at it as something that is actually making us stronger in our journey then we can focus on what we do want better, as opposed to focusing on what we don't want. Great post. Keep up the good work. You will get there and you will accomplish what you set out to do, b/c what you want wants you too!

    XO Kelley
    http://www.keepsittingpretty.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for such a sweet post Kelley. I really like the "Everything you want wants you too," quote. There's so many things I want to do but like you, I'm my toughest critic. The crazy part is, I know I can do it, it's just the starting to do it that gets me every time. : /

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  2. Seems like we are always on the same page. I know this feeling all to well...but sunsets and sunrises and each new day can be a new beginning to overcome such obstacles...Psalm 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Sometimes easier said than done...but there's always Hope! Never say never...Wonderful Post Sweetie!

    Lola

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    1. Hey Lola! Thanks for the reminders. I pray that scripture every morning when I wake up and try to remember to rejoice in the things I have. We never know when God is working on our behalf in the background.

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  3. Thanks I needed this. I too have been doubting myself...all really took its toll today. I am just beat down today. I was doing so well too. I was gaining confidence to conquer all things and obstacles thrown my way. And today I am facing a really tough obstacle in which I don't know how to conquer. I feel like it is mostly me like you say above. But its hard....this post has helped me though. Thanks

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    1. Hey love! I'm so happy it's helped you. I think there's something in the air because everyone seems to be going through a bit of discouragement. Just rest assured that it doesn't last forever. I truly hope you overcome today's obstacles. Tomorrow is a new day. : )

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  4. Keep plugging away my dear. In the long run I think you'll be really pleased =)

    - Sarah
    A Girl In Transit

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  5. perfect timing for your post. Your words and verses really encouraged me today. Being a foster mom and dealing with the system, I find myself struggling to move forward. Thank you for this reminder. I'm now following your amazing blog. :)
    http://findyoursparkle.blogspot.com/2012/03/cute-spring-apron-giveaway.html

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    1. Hi Lucy! Welcome to the virtue community. We're so happy to have you. I admire you so much for being a foster mom. I always wanted to do it but haven't taken the step yet. I know the system can be terrible, but in those times remember all the lives you're changing. Even when it feels like your not making any sort of impact.

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  6. oh wow! i needed this encouragement. my husband and i are trying to save two babies from orphanage in Europe. its a crazy tough process we are dealing with right now and i often get so discouraged ;( BUT no matter what, i know God is doing His work according to His plan and His timing. my job is just to submit and quit trying to take matter into my own hands!!

    http://yuliconversations.blogspot.com/

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    1. Wow, what an awesome task to be undertaking. I know that def a long, frustrating journey, but in the end your reward will be so great!! I wish you two many blessings. How exciting!

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  7. Love this post! I know I have doubts more than a few times a week! "Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do." Love that quote! It speaks to me on so many levels! Keep following your heart girl! It will lead you to where you need to be!

    xx
    Giovanna
    www.oliveandanarrow.com

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    1. Thanks love! I'm going to try with all my might to keep pushing forward. I really appreciate the support.

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  8. These words definitely inspire me and I think it can be easy to get down on yourself, because I know there are days that I feel lazy or like giving up on certain projects but it's best to take a break at that point. Your post is so inspiring and realistic too, and I liked how you shared your own doubts within yourself because I think this happens with everyone and it's important to be honest about it.

    Great post Vonae!!

    xoDale

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  9. Discouragement is the opposite of hope. Let's keep hoping that despite the roller coaster ride life gives us, we still end up on top. Great post!

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