Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

Calvin Coolidge
30th president of US (1872 - 1933)

I read this interesting quote on this sheet that gets handed out weekly from church. At first I didn't get it so I had to read it a second time, and when I finally got to the end, I almost teared up. (At the same time, I was like, "Why are you getting so emotional over this?"). I just felt persistent was, or rather is, a word that describes a lot of what I've been doing and having to do lately. I'm not the only one, I know, and I'm definitely not alienating anyone, but it just made me think, that's all. Success or failure, I think whatever it is that sparks or crushes a set goal, can never match up to the impressive valor of being persistent. If you reach success, that's great! You can look back at what it took to get there. If it's a failure, it's picking up where you left off or starting over that's really impressive.

That last sentence was what I really wanted to talk about. It's really hard to get up again when you fail miserably or lose everything you've worked hard on. It's one of the hardest things to do ever, but it's definitely to be admired. Oh, no, I'm not talking about anything super serious. It can apply to anything-- like this morning, I typed up a whole entry and then lost it because the submit button didn't send it entirely through. I was so angry, but then I had to decide on a choice: Should I write it again, or just forget it?

I ended up writing something completely different. Oh well! In any case, I'll be copying this entire entry, juuust in case. XD

And, a quick random rabble.--
Mass was pretty interesting today. I like that priest, though I feel terrible I don't know his name. He seems very educated, having to read the thoughts of a young saint in Latin. And during the breaking of the bread, whenever a priest changes his voice to some deep treble for singing a line or two all holy-like, I'm really moved. He was talking about how when he was young and went Trick-or-Treating, he went as St. Francis of Assisi, and his sister went as some woman (Was her name Veronica? I don't know the story) who wiped Jesus Christ's face. She carried a pillow case with Jesus' face printed on it. I couldn't help but laugh at this story. Trick-or-Treating as holy/Bible figures? That's hardcore! (Though I must admit it struck me as funny also because just yesterday I was reading some article written by a lady from some church saying that Halloween is the counter-holiday to Christmas, and that the devil was outt o get everyone through candy. It was just amusing how church people can have such contrasting thoughts regarding some things. Some will celebrate it, and some abhor it!)

Huh? What was the purpose of today's mass? It's All Saint's Day, I think! There was a moral or something about how the greatest saints are regular people just like us. I know that, but I think it's that humanity that makes them so admirable. I don't ever plan on being a saint, but they sure are good role models/pedestals of inspiration!

I don't normally pull religion out like that, but I just thought today had a good lesson to it and I felt like reminiscing over it. (X