It is not over until it is over.

Today is all about the subject of perseverance. Over the last month or so, I've been extremely busy with my studies and I feel like it is never-ending. Even though the days are growing closer to the deadline, it is not over until it is over! I am so busy and consumed with my coursework that I am overwhelmed, and at times I do not feel to push on forward and complete the work I have to do. Even though I'm getting closer, it just seems so far away.

There have been other scenarios where I felt like this. When I was working as a Christmas temp at one retail job, I had started really early at 8am and did not finish my shift till around 3pm/4pm. As I was cleaning the shelves and sorting out the stock before opening, I thought to myself, this wis going to be such a long day, and I just couldn't imagine the end to this shift. However, just because I couldn't imagine the future doesn't mean there isn't one and before I knew it, my shift was over, and I was on my way home.

What is my point? Over the last several months, I've learned that life is all about perseverance. According to Merriam Webster dictionary, perseverance is continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. A synonym for that is steadfastness, which means firmly fixed in place, firm in belief and determination. There are moments where I feel to give up, or something just looks and feels impossible. There are times when I get knocked down by situations in my life where I feel like I'm not capable, but if I have something I want to achieve or something I want to do or complete for whatever reason, I have to continue for myself and my betterment. I was someone who used to quit things when I got too stressed and would prefer to just hide away even though this new activity or hobby I'm trying could advance me in life, make me a better person, or in the long run, make me happier and more at peace within myself. Being at University and studying put me in a place where I couldn't just give up or run away from things! I had to face the mountain climb ahead of me and figure out how to get things done. Sometimes you have no choice but to persevere, and it is definitely character building. As I'm coming towards the end of University, the uphill battle is becoming a downhill rest. Things will get easier and better and soon be worth it. But I just have to keep pushing on till I get there. In life, things are not over until it's over.

Even as I'm writing this, it is still not yet over, and I still have a bit of a way to go before then. The best way I have learned to preserve is to focus on the now and present, doing things day by day, bit by bit, and concentrate on the process of overcoming. Before I know it, I've overcome, and it will be another story in my life where I would look back on and can't believe how I've made it. It is important to remember that we have survived 100% of our worst days. We are all just doing fine. This too shall pass.

Anu Aborisade