Behind the “seens”…
“People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the most insignificant success is achieved.” Anne Sullivan April 14, 1866 - October 20, 1936
What a wonderful reminder that all the difficulties we encounter in our day to day lives, be they personal, business, educational, or otherwise, are really not that unusual, even if seldom alluded to by high achievers. Much is made of the success of many a “world changer”, but we do not hear enough of the grueling practice they regularly engaged in or the many disappointments they experienced on their way to the top.
There is much to learn and aspire to, in the realization that the success enjoyed by many was wrought about through commitment and perseverance and oftentimes, at a great personal cost.
While Anne Sullivan persevered as a teacher, Helen Keller also had to persevere as a student in order to make great strides, both personal and educational, when, I’m sure, it often must have seemed easier to just give up. So here is a lesson for those who would teach in difficult circumstances, also for those who would dare to learn in spite of seemingly unsurmountable difficulties and for everyone else going about the business of living. Perseverance does have its rewards when kept as a faithful companion and a commitment to not give up.
“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
I love this verse because it acknowledges that it does get tiring to do good, to work and work and see no positive results and yet at the same time it provides a sure hope, in the certainty of an eventual harvest, if we do not give up.
Agricultural harvest is such an awesome picture we can all relate to, of the work, care, patience, and faith needed to ultimately enjoy the fruit of one’s labor. A process which we can readily apply to all sorts of situations when there is absolutely no proof of anything happening, or changing. Believing to the contrary and acting on that faith, rain or shine, by continuing to perform our “due diligence”, eventually yields proof that both our faith and work were indeed, never in vain.
The image which accompanies this post is that of a nest which I found so fascinating that I photographed it, to share it as I’m doing now. The overall composition as well as the intricate design of the nest drew my attention as I pondered all the work involved in the fabrication of this ingenuously designed structure, which most people casually walk by, without a second thought. I also thought about what goes on inside the nest, which perfectly illustrates Anne Sullivan’s point of seldom seen rigors having to be endured, to realize even the most seemingly “insignificant success”. To her point, both parents and hatchlings, behind the scenes/“seen(s)”, must persevere through various exhausting teaching and learning scenarios, until, finally, one fine day, all are rewarded by the fruit of their labor.
May we all be inspired to keep on keeping on, and all the more when the going gets tough!
EA