Determined

I have been determined only a few times in my life.  We misuse this word alot, but really, it comes down to a drive inside us to do whatever it takes to accomplish this thing.  That is determination.

The dictionary defines it as: "Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it."

I was determined in pursuing my wife.  I was determined in pursuing my calling.  I was determined to follow God.  I was determined to graduate college.

Being determined means there is something pulling you in the opposite direction.  Whether it be a nay-sayer, some obstacle you might not make it over, or even your past.  Being determined comes with its challenges.

No one has ever woken up and said, "I'm going to be determined today...  Maybe."
This sounds ridiculous but we do that every day! There are many things in life that we say we are determined at, but then at first trouble we bail.  Or we hold off until second, or third, or maybe even the 300th trouble, and we bail.

Being determined doesn't mean never failing, but it does mean not quitting.

In college, I failed alot.  I wanted to give up many times.  You see, I don't learn the way the education system teaches.  Due to my imaginitive and creative thinking, along with my ADHD, it is hard for me to retain knowledge by reading, and many times writing.  A doctor actually told me once that I had selective hearing (its a real thing!), and that during class, I could easily miss sentences in my notes, where I just don't notice them.  So I had to get my notes, notes from a friend, and notes from a professor to cross reference.  And again, I don't study well.
But I was determined to finish in four years, to start my life.  I did everything I could to graduate, despite the odds.  It meant me swallowing my pride, and begging professors to let me into a class that could count for a requirement; it meant studying, which I was beyond terrible at.  It meant emotional breakdowns becoming more and more common the closer I got to graduation.  But I pushed through.

This isn't an excuse or a 'woe is me' story, but rather a story of victory, of motivation! We need more of that in today's world I think, motivation.  Determination can do some unbelievable things with just a little motivation and encouragement.

So what are you determined on right now? What are you pushing towards?