Before I started the Ro’s Words of Encouragement blog last November, I sent out my Weekend Words posts through e-mail to a group of friends, co-workers and clients. I still send those e-mails every Friday, but since starting the blog I also post the Weekend Words here. I am trying to go back through my older Weekend Words posts, the ones that were written before the blog existed, and share them with my blog readers. So although the below post is in the Weekend Words category, it is not this week’s official Weekend Words post. The below Weekend Words was originally published via e-mail on July 23, 2010:
This week’s British Open golf tournament offered a classic example of perseverance paying off in a big way.
South African Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen, who won the event by a near record margin, had missed the cut in 7 of the previous 8 majors. However, he kept working at his game despite those numerous setbacks. Amazing what we can accomplish if you just hang in there and keep focusing on improving ourselves.
This made me think of a fun song some of you may remember from the mid-1990s – “Tubthumping”, by the British group Chumbawumba, easily recognized by the lyrics in the chorus: “I get knocked down, but I get up again. You’re never gonna keep me down.”
When things get tough, I keep that chorus in mind. Hang in there!
Have a great weekend, and I hope you are enjoying your summers.
-Ro
Included below is the inspirational poem “Believe or The Man Who Thinks He Can” by Walter D. Wintle.
Believe or The Man Who Thinks He Can
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t,
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellows will;
It’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are;
You’ve got to think high to rise.
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.