“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
So you too can be a hero! 
I remember when I first started on the mission field I was told that if you made it for the first five years, then you would actually have a great chance of being a “veteran”. Wow!
Getting over the first hump is the most difficult:
Yes, it is true, the highest dropout time is during the first five years. Once you make it over that hump, you practically become a veteran by default.
Of course there is still a long journey ahead but because you found strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles, the next stage of the journey seems so much easier. Now you at least know the language and the culture.
It is really the same in most walks of life. The first part of any new venture is the toughest. If you can endure and persevere during this stage of your journey, you have a great chance of succeeding.
However: it is not enough to simply “arrive”. It also matters how you arrived.
I have noticed that both on the mission field and in the work force there are people who have “made it” for 20-30 years plus. Yet instead of being the triumphant person you would expect them to be, they are so bitter at everything around them. These folk simply learned to cope over the years, they never really overcame. How sad.
Are you coping or overcoming? You can read more about this here. (How to Conquer, Not Just Cope.
Obstacles cannot bend me. Every obstacle yields to effort. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
Yes it takes effort too.
- Effort
- Perseverance
- Endurance.
- And don’t forget to maintain the winning attitude.
Are you enjoying the journey, despite the effort, perseverance and endurance you need to keep going? Then you have a good chance of arriving ready to enjoy the prize of your efforts.
There is a series of articles about overcoming obstacles over on Mindset for Living – Overcoming Obstacles
I am sure you will find some tips and principles that will help you overcome the hindrances that cross your path.
Yes, YOU too can be a hero – in fact:
April 16th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Wow! Great post! I believe that obstacles are important in our lives because they make us stronger. Will share this with friends.
April 16th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Hi Vince,
Thanks for stopping by. I am glad you like this post.
Yes, obstacles are meant to strengthen you and challenge you to rise to higher and greater things. Every time you overcome an obstacle in your life, you strengthen your determination to win and to succeed in life.
You will find more about obstacles and overcoming them over at http://www.mindsetforliving.com
Jill
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:15 pm
What I have found is obstacles tend to make you stronger. When you choose to overcome the obstacle at hand you alway become a better person. If you decide to lay down and let the obstacle beat you, you are allowing your mental muscles atrophy. Choose to make a plan, take action, and repeat as necessary.
May 4th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Great advice Spencer!
Choose to make a plan and take action is most certainly the way to move ahead.
In fact I believe that in every area of life most people do not realize the freedom of CHOICE we do have.
We can CHOOSE to win or we can choose to fail.
I know what your choice is Spencer – you are a winner.
August 9th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Great piece of writing and quite true to life. Without obstacles we never know how much we are capable of.