I was reading through my new issue of No Greater Joy the other day, and once again, Michael Pearl wrote something so profound, it took my breath away.

I found the article in its entirety online, so you can read it here in context.

If you find yourself at your wit’s end at some point in your parenting journey, I’ve found much wisdom passed along in this magazine. My favorite quote from this issue is below, one I’m clipping out to put in my file of inspirational writings that I want to keep and ponder:

The world is a giant, confidence-eating cud chewer. It seeks our defeat. Whatever path we choose in life will be littered with signs that say, “Closed to you; you can’t do it; this is for people more talented or advantaged; you can’t make a difference.” And when you believe the signs and stop to ponder, you will hear voices that say, “You are not important; no one cares; it is not worth it; quit now.” The weak go no further. They settle down and accept the lot that is handed to them and spend the rest of their lives unhappy and unfulfilled.

The tough don’t believe the signs and never slow down to listen to the voices. They are the doers, the precedent setters, the pioneers. Their accomplishments may never win Nobel prizes or be recognized with applause at a banquet; but they will know in their hearts that they have run the course and overcome the hardships to conquer, even in the little areas that may only matter to a quiet few. But they were not quitters, slackers, or buck passers. At the end of life, they will have tasted of the sweetness, heard the music, and worn the crown of victory, even if it is simply a paper crown given by a thankful grandchild or an appreciative spouse. The tough will earn the admiration and appreciation of the few or the many. But, in the end, they will be able to say, “I have lived, and it was good…very, very good.”

– Michael Pearl
Jan/Feb 2008 issue of No Greater Joy magazine