I have just watched a program about the great divide in America between those who have and those who are struggling to make ends meet during the recession. It was very sad to watch and reminded me of my own challenges during 2008/2009, although I always had support financially and people to lean on, which I know made me very lucky. One family struggled to find $250 to pay so they didn’t get their power cut off and my heart went out to them.

One thing I did to remind myself that ‘this too will pass’ was to read inspirational quotes and also to read autobiographies. Knowing people had been through major challenges and succeeded helped me keep going when things got tough. Being a single mum means I don’t have another adult in the house to talk over my worries with although I am blessed enough to have a few people I trusted enough to talk it all through.

So today I wanted to provide a few inspirational quotes to help you overcome obstacles and all I will say is stay strong… this too will pass.

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, failure, suffering, struggle, and loss, and have found their way out of the depths of thier challenges. These people have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern for others. Beautiful people do not just happen; they evolve.” Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

“Defeat may test you; it need not stop you. If at first you don’t succeed, try another way. For every obstacle there is a solution. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. The greatest mistake is giving up. Unknown”

”We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey” Miyazawa Kenji

“For a long time it seemed to me that real life was about to begin, but there was always some obstacle in the way. Something had to be got through first, some unfinished business; time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.”  Bette Howland

”If you know someone who tries to drown their sorrows, you might tell them sorrows know how to swim” Jackson Brown, Jr.

“To every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language.” Thomas Jefferson

“We must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope.”  Martin Luther King Jnr

“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.” Epictetus

“Lots of people limit their possibilities by giving up easily. Never tell yourself this is too much for me. It’s no use. I can’t go on. If you do you’re licked, and by your own thinking too. Keep believing and keep on keeping on.”  Norman Vincent Peale

“We can’t change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. If I’m not as depressed as you think I should be, I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Randy Pausch

Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. Yet each struggle, each defeat, sharpens your skills and strengths, your courage and your endurance, your ability and your confidence and thus each obstacle is a comrade-in-arms forcing you to become better… or quit. Each rebuff is an opportunity to move forward; turn away from them, avoid them, and you throw away your future.   Og Mandino

What’s the one thing that you will find behind every successful person who pulled themselves through a major challenge? They never gave up. Don’t quit. Keep believing. If you believe in the power of prayer use it to help you share your worries – sometimes just talking out loud about it helps and you might even find that a solution or two presents itself.