- Perseverance is commitment, hard work, patience, endurance.
- Perseverance is trying again and again.
- Perseverance is a positive attitude.
And with that . . .
The power of a positive attitude is simply amazing. It turns things around, gives hope, shows light and makes life simple. Hiccups happen, we all get them. They are annoying and not always easy to get rid of but they do eventually go away. Just like any obstacle we are faced with.
OneWord365 . . . Perseverance
A few nights ago I came across a site called OneWord365, It is an outside of the box way of taking on a new year. Not setting a resolution that will be a list of things you may or may not get to. One word that sums up who you are and how you want to live all year long; it is always easier to focus on one thing verses 5 or 6. The word I chose to sum me up is perseverance . . .
In a Nut Shell:
Whether you’re new to my blog or have been following from the beginning . . . here are the pieces to my story and why I chose perseverance as my word:
Everyday Life:
I’m a single mom with a beautiful 9 yr old daughter who is my life, my guardian angel and my partner in crime, I work full time as a project manager, I go to school part time completing my second BA degree – 9 months until Graduation YAY . . . but then on to my Masters. I squeak by on a, work in progress, budget. I am a 3x cancer survivor and battle a nutritional roller coaster ride pushing through fatigue on a daily basis, especially after being diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2010. I’ve had my fair share of heart breaks, hurt and loss. I’ve battled with depression without realizing I was depressed until after the fact and have struggled with an eating disorder (not something many know).
Athlete Life:
I grew up running, however in 2009 I was introduced to triathlons and quickly became addicted to the sport. I race because I am a survivor proving to those who don’t believe it that anything is possible. The sport also became my outlet in my everyday life (my way of meditating I guess you could say); a way for me to step away from the stress, chaos and everything in between. Though my Triathlon journey hasn’t been easy. . . I completed my first half ironman a day after my first round of chemo in 2009 and 8 months after completing treatments all together I did my first full ironman – 140.6 miles in 2010. To sum it all up over the last three years, I’ve completed 2 full Ironman races, 4 Half Ironmans, a handful of short course triathlons, 5 full marathons and a few half marathons. I’ve, for the first time in my triathlete career, placed in my AG (repeatedly) last year (2012) and qualified for USAT AG Nationals all while on treatments again (yes, I beat cancer twice in the last three years while racing)! I’ve overcome several injuries, one in which left me on crutches in 2011, 7 months out from my second full Ironman, having to learn how to walk and then run again. Impossible doesn’t exist in my books.
… I know what it feels like to give up on something, it was my way of life for the longest time until my life was flipped upside down 9 years ago (when my daughter was born and I was first diagnosed with cancer) . . . With the help, love and support of my family and friends (who I am EXTREMELY BLESSED to have in my life) . . . I’ve learned to perseverance and not give up on my dreams/goals regardless of the hurdles put in front of me. I’ve learned that the obstacles are not the end of the road; they are simply hiccups that need a glass of water or possibly a moment of holding your breath to get rid of them.
I’ve been on my own with my daughter for the last 8 years and have had quite a few obstacles to overcome to get me to where I am today, not only as a person but as an athlete as well. I will continue to persevere; overcoming the hiccups life gives me . . .Having faith –> leaning, growing and training hard to be successful as an individual and to crush the goals I’ve set.
Perseverance is that positive attitude that can give you the silver lining in every situation.
“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” ~ Epictetus
Perseverance . . . is who I am and why it is my word for 2013.
What is your word?
“…And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” -Hebrews 12:1
A friend of mine sent your link to me tonight because my One Word for 2013 is also PERSEVERANCE. This is the first year I’ve done this; the last several years I’ve avoided any type of resolution or newness. This year is different.
Although I’ve not gone through everything you have and I am no runner — except when I’m running away from my problems — my pattern in life is to give up too easily. Two weeks before NYE I decided to give this ONE WORD thing a try. PERSEVERANCE wouldn’t leave me alone.
In the last week, I’ve added another word: BRAVE. I’m tired of living my life entwined in my fears. My heart if so full of dreams and goals; it’s time to persevere through whatever life throws at me and to be brave enough to keep moving.
I’ve already tackled some BIG things and we’re only 16 days into the new year. And I’m proud of me. I will be thinking of you since we share this ONE WORD. And I will be praying.
Blessings!
Erica Senecal