Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetup for prayer* and community at Daily Kos. We put an asterisk on pray* to acknowledge that not everyone uses conventional religious language, but may want to share joys and concerns, or simply take solace in a meditative atmosphere. Anyone who comes in the spirit of mutual respect, warmth and healing is welcome.
Tonight let's talk about persistence and having 'faith.' By faith I don't mean strictly religious faith - although what I'm talking about could be related to religious faith. By 'faith' I mean the confidence that something can be done.
Has your faith in yourself - your belief that you can persist - been tested recently? Mine has.
First, the inspiration for my thoughts comes from this weekend's readings in the Catholic Church:
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. - 2 Timothy 4:2
Emphasis mine. But first: Persistence. Hmm. Been plenty of examples of that in the news lately:
*Democratic candidates persisting and bouncing back in the polls (Sestak, Manchin, and others);
*Gay-rights activists persisting and winning victories for equality in marriage and service to country;
*Marathon runners persisting to the finish line in Chicago, Detroit, and other places;
Oh, and then there's Chile!
I've been trying to persist in my job hunt. I keep submitting applications, I keep tailoring muy resume and re-wording my cover letter. I've had a few interviews. Still, it gets discouraging to get that rejection letter. "We decided to go in a different direction." "We selected a candidate with specific experience." "We do not have an opening that meets your skills." I get it - you're not hiring me. You don't have to kiss up to me.
Heck, I can't even get a couple-hundred-dollars-a-month campaign job - despite my wide range of (unpaid)experience with such groups as the College Democrats of America (of which I was Deputy Communications Director in 2008), or Obama for America. (That "go in a different direction" quote is from someone at a political campaign - one that later hird someone else for that position!!)
Still, I persist.
I know that others have faced much worse, and have succeeded. I know that I will too. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but my time is coming.
I turn 23 this Thursday. I believe very much that by persisting - both in my current job search and in everything else I do in life - I can be very successful.
Much like the guy whose father abandoned him, who grew up in less than ideal conditions, and who persisted to blaze new trails as editor of the Harvard Law Review, community activist, state and national senator, and now President. His persistence over the years has prepared him well for what he must now deal with during a most extraordinary time in world history.
So I say to you this Sunday evening:
be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient;
convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.