Statements of Encouragement 3

Eku deede iwoyi o! Good day everybody!

This month`s statement of encouragement is a sequel to last month`s as we are still in the middle and somehow experiencing the second wave. Robert Frost said; “the best way out is always through.” The tendency is that when we're going through difficulties, we don't think of going through. We think of turning around. We think of taking the nearest exits. In fact, we're looking around and saying, where's the exit sign? How do I get out of the mess? Because when we're in the mess, so many times, we aren't thinking big picture. We're just thinking, momentarily, of convenience. And if I think of momentary convenience for myself, I will always look for another way out of a difficult situation. A crisis like this helps us make a lot of adjustments, it also helps us appreciate things we have always been taking for granted. A crisis is part of life, in fact, one of my favorite quotes says “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” and the point is to keep moving i.e. go through the crisis with grace and hope.

What Robert Frost knew is this, what we focus on determines what we become. He says focus on finishing. Focus on getting all the way through. The moment we focus on finishing, we stop looking for the exits. We stop trying to make a U-turn. And we basically realize the best way to overcome any difficulty, or adversity in our life is to put our head down, suck it in, go straight to the end, and by the way, when you go straight to the end, that's the quickest way to get there. We celebrate with you if you were born in July. Wishing you another year of good health and accomplishments. Stay safe, stay strong, and stay healthy until we will be able to gather together again.

Eric Thompson

YAJ.