So, after sitting for some time,once again looking for inspiration to pour out of my computer screen, I decided it wasn't happening and I was ready to go without a blog post this week. Within one minute of this thought and decision, the above quote appeared on Google plus. Some might say its coincidence, others divine intervention. Me I think its a kick in the butt to keep trying.
Now if the husband was here he would say I'm very "trying", so I just want to make it quite clear that the trying I am talking about has to do with effort and "carrying on" , not the one where someone is gritting their teeth at you in exasperation.
As I type, my FED (favourite eldest daughter) is sitting a university statistics exam. This is an important exam, because it is a compulsory unit and therefore can not be swapped out of. There is no way out of this except forward, which is a problem if you're not mathematically inclined and it all feels like mumbo jumbo. I know that Ashton has been very worried about this exam and has done her best to prepare for it, even deactivating her facebook account to minimise disruptions!
So, once you've done your best to prepare, all you can do is get into the exam and give it a " red hot go". Try as hard as you can! Do your best and when its over walk out!
That is all anyone can expect of you - try your best! That doesn't always equate with success but it allows you to look yourself in the eye (use a mirror for best results) and say " I couldn't have done anything more. I tried my hardest". "After event" guilt only sets in when you know you haven't tried your hardest and that you haven't used the potential you have. That's my theory anyway and I'm sticking to it.
By the time my daughter reads this post, it will be all over and life will go on. That's a definite. Pass or fail, life goes on and sometimes it just needs to be all put into perspective. Tomorrow will come, the day after will too. When you've given your all, if its meant to be, it will be. Otherwise its a fork in the road and we change direction.
I hope not, because she loves this course apart from this one unit! Come on Ashton, you can do it!
I had a similar experience in my university years. I was studying to be a dentist (I think I've written about that before), but found the practical work to be too challenging. Looking back that's about the time my hand tremor was starting off. I tried my hardest but it wasn't to be. Two weeks after most people had completed their practical work, I was still sitting there and I snapped. Enough was enough. Effort does not always equate with success and that is a big life lesson to learn. Was I disappointed? Of course. But I had arrived at a fork in the road and had to change direction. Some things are not meant to be.
“Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure.”
― George E. Woodberry
― George E. Woodberry
My daughter is strong and feisty and she will beat this. At the very least she will get to a stage where it is manageable.
The last time Ashton had surgery, I asked for a circle of prayers worldwide. It gave me comfort to know that the arms of prayer were encircled around my daughter. Could I please ask for this again this Friday 12th June? Please at some time during the day thank the good Lord for what he has done for us so far and for blessings on Ashton's doctors to further their work. Her father, sister and I together with our extended family would really appreciate this.
If you could just leave your country in the comments, I will enjoy telling Ashton how far and wide her prayer circle has extended.
Thank you in advance and may God bless you all xx
Till next time...xxx
I read your last post about your daughter's situation--this is such a scary thing to have to go through, I know it's hard on the whole family. I will pray for Ashton, and for you, that you will have peace and joy and that the doctors will have the wisdom they need. And I'm in China.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for being the first. Your kind words brought a tear to my eye.
DeleteGood luck to your daughter. I wish her all the best. Love from England.
ReplyDeletethanks for the Awesome information in the post
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Praying for your family and Ashton! Be encouraged because prayer changes everything! With love from Mississippi, USA.
ReplyDeleteSaid a prayer for your family....thanks for sharing on Anything Goes.....Kansas City, MO
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us at #anythinggoes #8 and best wishes to you and your daughter. I'm sending prayers from Australia.
ReplyDeleteSuch wise words, mom! Thank you for sharing your wisdom at the #AnythingGoes Link Party!
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for her and your whole family in my mother tongue French, from Quebec Canada. You guys are great 💙 keep it up
ReplyDeleteContinued prayers for your family and for your daughter's medical team from Indiana, USA
ReplyDeleteI sure miss reading your posts, and I apologies for being busy in the last months ... All the prayers to your daughter and your family from Saudi Arabia.
ReplyDeletePraying for Ashton and you, her family from Staten Island, NY, USA..God bless the hands of the doctors on June 12th..
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for you all. I'm meeting with some friends on Friday, so we'll make sure to set some time aside to pray as a group for Ashton. Tons of well-wishes coming your way from Southern California on Friday...not to mention the days leading up to it. God bless.
ReplyDeleteWishing Aston all the best for her upcoming op on Friday.
ReplyDeleteLynda Maitland NSW
Wishing Ashton all the best from the remote wild wild west outback desert country town of Geraldton WA
ReplyDeletePraying for Aston and your family. I hope all goes well on Friday.
ReplyDeletePraying for Aston, from Maryland in the USA.
ReplyDeleteYou got it! Prayers going up on your family's behalf from Oregon, USA.
ReplyDeletePraying for Ashton In Buckeye, Arizona USA!!!
ReplyDeletePrayers and wishes for Ashton from California, USA.
ReplyDeleteComing from Lincoln UK sending positive thoughts and prayers x
ReplyDeleteI am overwhelmed. Thank you so much xxx
ReplyDeleteSending kind thoughts and warm wishes for your daughter. You sound like an amazing mom with a strong daughter!
ReplyDeleteSending thoughts from the Northeast, USA by the way.
ReplyDeleteYou and your family are so strong! Sending thoughts and prayers from Ohio USA
ReplyDeletesending you and your daughter loving thoughts of care and healing, from northern California.
ReplyDeleteAs for the writing, I've been in those shoes. I'm glad you got something out because it was a lovely read. And I totally agree that the doing is the most important work of a writer.
Sending thoughts and prayers to a strong family from the U.S.
ReplyDeleteHere's a fellow Aussi sending prayers from England.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers from Tennessee.
ReplyDeleteWIshing all the best to you and your family, from Colorado, USA
ReplyDeletePraying for your daughter from Mississippi, USA
ReplyDeleteSending love & light!
ReplyDeleteMy prayers ate always with you, you're family, and Ashton but will I be sure to say many more tomorrow for all of you! I hope you have a quick recovery time Miss Ashton!
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you all,
Lysa xx
Oops! Forgot to mention Arizona USA
DeleteThese quotes (and your attitude) are very inspirational! Thanks for linking up at the Manic Mondays blog hop!
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