I am trying to tippy toe and not get political in this blog, but the title and topic were inspired by an event that happened on the Senate floor in February of 2017. Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced when speaking out against the confirmation of Jeff Sessions for Attorney General. “Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” ~Leader McConnell.
At the time, the words “nevertheless, she persisted” resonated with me for many reasons. Senator Warren is one of a handful of women senators, and is also a Democrat. Was it a party thing? A gender thing? Regardless of the Leader’s reason for saying those words, they still stick with me.
At the time, the words “nevertheless, she persisted” resonated with me for many reasons. Senator Warren is one of a handful of women senators, and is also a Democrat. Was it a party thing? A gender thing? Regardless of the Leader’s reason for saying those words, they still stick with me.
When I have trained for a marathon, the 18 weeks of training leading up to the final day is tough. You have to stick to the program. You can’t miss too many runs. You have to build up your mileage. You have to eat well and sleep well. It gets old. And boring. You make some sacrifices. But to get to the starting line, you must endure.You persist! But when race day comes, and you have doubts about finishing, or finishing well, it sometimes seems so easy just to quit. And that’s when you really have to dig deep. And persist! |
Shortly after Senator Warren’s speech on the floor and her subsequent silencing with the words, “She was warned. Nevertheless, she persisted,” I came across a tank top online with those 3 words! There was no question: I had to have that shirt for my next half marathon! I wore it for the race and it kept me going! A few spectators commented on it that day, but those words were for me and the other 12,000 runners, men and women! Keep trying! Keep moving! Forward is a pace! Persist! |
Those 3 words can so easily apply to many aspects of life. Moving to a new home. Getting cancer. Changing jobs. Working two or more jobs. Commuting long distances for a job. Having surgery. Losing a loved one. Losing a job. Going on welfare. Going back to college. Losing your house in a fire. Living with your lives changed after a horrible hurricane. Being of a certain race, religion or sexual orientation. While some of those are more catastrophic than others, everyone has a story and everyone has a struggle. It is how we deal with these challenges that sets up our future. Persist!
A final thought about those 3 words is to leave a message for my teacher friends. You are the champion for your students! You might be the best thing that happens to some of them all day! So when you are tired, and frazzled, and frustrated, and beat down; when you feel like you are neglecting your own family because you are coaching, taking tickets, running a concession stand, grading homework, and creating awesome lessons….remember that it is worth it and you are making a difference! You might not see it right away, but you are! Persist!
A final thought about those 3 words is to leave a message for my teacher friends. You are the champion for your students! You might be the best thing that happens to some of them all day! So when you are tired, and frazzled, and frustrated, and beat down; when you feel like you are neglecting your own family because you are coaching, taking tickets, running a concession stand, grading homework, and creating awesome lessons….remember that it is worth it and you are making a difference! You might not see it right away, but you are! Persist!