I regard my dad as one of my mentors albeit he is not aware of this. He always share his perspectives based on his own realization or observations. Every now and then he will give me some pep talks. I remember there was once he said something like this, "Life is no doubt really short; but the short duration of 60-70 years will still make you feel as though it were long especially when you are facing a lot of hurdles. But what makes you get through in the end is not intelligence, not luck solely but your determination."
There is certainly some wisdom of insights from my dad's words. He must have gone through a lot in order to come to that realization. He is not a super smart guy, nor had he received any high level education. He just has been through a lot in life, hence comes to that realization. My dad started working way before he finished his high school education. He started his career from scratch and then expanding it to support his parents and his other siblings. He told me he barely knew anything when he started and he was hit by many obstacles but all he relied on was just purely determination to make him that far. Close to 40 years have past, he told me although he has passed his peak, he is not giving up yet because he is confident and determined that he still has many more peaks coming soon. Ah, how do I not admire my dad right?
All right, I don't mean my dad is a successful person and I have no intention of convincing you to take him as your idol. Sorry, my dad's my idol. He's mine eh! All I am trying to say is I've seen most of his ups and downs especially his career, my dad has never given up. There was once that I was so concerned about him; he just turned back to me and told me that we should be determined and everything would be fine.
Let's take a look at other successful role models; yes, these people are intelligent, hardworking or perhaps luck was by their side to make that miracle happened. But if you take a closer look, that miracle moment did not happen just like that, they probably have had more encounters than any of us. Yet what makes them more successful is because they have more determination.
Determination is really the key, even for our search of happiness. There are ups and downs along the journey, yours and mind. But if take them as something positive and are determined about that, sure we’ll feel the happiness. It is hard to strive out of negativity, but with the determination there, we can surely make it and once we’re out of that lope, happiness is just in front of us.
Being determined is always not that easy. You need to be determined to maintain the determination. But once you’re done with that, nothing is really impossible anymore.
