Keep Your FOCUS!! Never Lose Your DETERMINATION!!

[pir8fan]

These are word you hear on a regular basis from me! They come from a blog I wrote about 65 days into my quit! I am going to re-post a portion of that blog here today! I hope there is motivation in this for all who seek it!

As I read the various blogs I find everyone looking for just a little more than help with kicking a nasty addiction. There are loud screams and soft cries from people with varing levels of despiration. Today I would like to share with you two stories that I have encountered that demonstrate FOCUS and DETERMINATION.

The first is about a lady named Trudy. In 1925 she dreamed of becoming the first woman and only the sixth person to swim the English Channel. She made her plans until the day she set out in pea soup fog to make her dream a reality. She swam with all she had for as long as she could, but finally had to give up. She was pulled aboard a boat and latter discovered she was only 1/4 of a mile from the shore. She realized that she could have made it if she had known how close she was. Her attempt to live her dream was crushed because she could not see how close she was. In 1926 Gertrude Ederle went back on a clear day and became the first woman to swin the English Channel. This time she could see her goal. Her ability to focus on the shore helped her reach dream. And she did it more that 2 hours faster than any of the men who preceded her.

My second story is about a man more well known. His name is Sir Edmund Hillary, The first man to reach the summit of Mt. Everrest. Most know his fame for this accomplishment, few know it was his second attempt. His first attempt was a failure. But the man was determined. Two months after his failure while giving a speech at the base of Mt.Everrest, Sir Edmund Hillary shook his fist at the mountain and proclaimed " I will get you next time, you are as big as you will ever be, but I am not done growing!" The rest is history.

So, with the Focus of Ederle, and the Determination of Hillary, pledge another day to be SmokeFree and move a step closer to FREEDOM!                                     Tommy

[Julia_Amy]

Great blog Tommy!  Thanks!  I think I go get my swimming suit out of the closet.

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

Determination is indeed a key to success! And if we loose sight of the prize then we can lose our focus on the task at hand. Good blog!

[maggie_8-1-2010]

Awesome blog Tommy! Keeping our eyes on the prize is the way to go!  Thank you!

[terri54]

Thanks for reminding me about Gertrude Ederle; I haven't thought about her since I was a child.  She was a very inspiring woman.  I look for your blogs everyday because they always have a good message for me to carry through the day.

[Madyzsgocka]

Focus and determination, with your eye on the prize, is really what it's all about. Thanks Tommy 🙂

[silverwolf4]

Hello my name is ladyhawk Real name:Edie .I was reading your  Blog and now i no i can do this. If i can life for 36 years being abused ;betten and from foster home to foster home and a Childerns home for 5 years i CAN DO THIS .Thank you

[Strudel]

Great blog Tommy!

[lynette9]

Inspiring blog, Tommy!

[sspahn49]

Positive and inspiring, thanks Tommy.

[JimTaddeo]

Very good stuff Tommy and this one is not the channel or Everest....but they are all accomplished in the same manner. One step, one stroke, ONE DAY, at a time and you have to start climbing and you have to start swimming AND KEEP GOING!