We all go through hard times. We must persevere.

We all go through them, hard times that is. And if you say you’ve never been through a hard time, you are lying! I got to travel to some of our branches with my dad this week and?reminisce with him about how far we’ve come. I’ve been at my breaking point too many times to count and have gone over the edge more than once. Working for and with your family adds extra pressure when done correctly. At one of my over-the-edge moments, I was shattered into tears and told my parents that I couldn’t do it anymore, it was too hard, and I was done. And for me to say those things were shocking for them to hear. My dad sat up straight and looked me dead in the eye and said, “Whatever you do, don’t quit, don’t give up.” And I didn’t. What I did do was persevere.?

Not many people know that story. And in fact, my dad didn’t recall saying those words to me or even know that they will forever be seared in my memory. What he did remember was how broken I was at the time and how much I wanted to quit. We can now look back and laugh at that. But, I think about those words often and remind myself to just take the next right step. I once asked Dad how he got through the hard times and he told me just perseverance. It’s as simple as that, just persevere.?

Life is full of brilliance and adventure and it’s also full of heartbreak and challenge. We can persevere?no matter the circumstance if we choose to! It's a daily choice that we make and sometimes a choice we have to make every minute of every day and that’s okay.?

I often tell people that I think God allows us to go through the fire so that we can help others along the same journey. That’s what Dad did for me that day. He said those words and doesn’t even remember saying them but I do. Be that person for someone else because even though you may not recall it in years to come, they probably will, and maybe, just maybe it will change their life.?