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To keep moving against all odds, one needs intrinsic motivation. That inner push that spurs you to keep moving irrespective of the turbulence.
I was born into a family of average strength when it comes to finances. My parents weren't rich, but they tried their best to give my siblings and me the best of living within their affordability. This background hasn't afforded me the opportunity to use a silver spoon at anytime. Consequently, I have always faced challenges at each and every stage of my life.
While I was in my early years at the university, it wasn't easy for me financially. In many instances, I would be left with nothing after paying my school fees and settling other expenses. This affected me very well. I was thinking about it most of the time.
On a fateful day that I was traveling home from school, a bookseller was moving around the motor park to advertise his books. I was already seated in the bus, and it was about to depart the park when he approached me through the window. I ended up buying a book of quotes from him. I needed something to motivate me intrinsically, and I believed that such a book could be helpful.
I went through the more than 100 quotes captured in the book. They were documented quotes of different philosophers, authors, businessmen, political leaders, etc. across the world. The quotes made a great impact in my life because I could remember how many of my perspectives changed for the better.
A quote that stood out in the book was authored by Winston Churchill, a British politician who served as the United Kingdom prime minister on two different occasions.
“If you are going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill
Above is the quote by Churchill that stood out for me over the years. I learned to always concentrate on strategies to get out of the woods instead of allowing any ugly situation to weigh me down.
At every stage in one's life, there are three choices that can be made when faced with challenges. One can choose to escape the challenge by retreating. The second option is to get stuck by making no movement either backward or forward. The third one is to keep moving against all odds. The last option is the most difficult and, at the same time, the one that supports the growth of an individual. Instead of running away from a challenge or allowing myself to get stuck in it, I tried as much as I could to keep moving with a firm belief that I would emerge stronger.
I am a risk-taker. I believe that one needs to take calculated risks to make progress in life. I always strive to move away from my comfort zone. When I dare to take a risk to improve myself, I do encounter some problems. I don't allow regret to creep in. I face it head-on with the conviction that the best way to navigate through the problem is to keep moving.
The quote tells me that I should neither retreat nor give up in the face of difficult times. Rather, the best cause of action is to keep moving with the conviction that difficult times are often temporary. The path to progress may be slow and painful.
It encourages me to endure and overcome difficult times through determination.
This quote that I came across about fourteen years ago has played a very significant role in my life. The impact on me has been tremendous. Going forward, I am still guided by the principle of the quote.
I take my life journey as that of a cyclist. To remain balanced on the bicycle, it has to be in motion.
