"Nothing in this world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more commonplace than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genuis will not; unrewarded genuis is almost a proverb.
Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and Determination alone are omnipotent."
- Calvin Coolidge
Building a Comfort Drawer
I encourage each and every one of you to create your own comfort drawer. We all need to pamper ourselves from time to time, and a comfort drawer is the perfect way to do that.
In the words of Sarah Ban Breathnach (from Simple Abundance; A Daybook of Comfort and Joy- a book I recommend heartily, as well as all of her others):
"A little of what you fancy does you good." - Marie Lloyd
Life requires that we prepare ourselves for the inevitable times that try our souls. This is achieved with a comfort drawer. Comfort drawers are for those nights when you feel as if you'd like to pull the covers over your head and never come out. My refuge is the righthand bottom drawer of my dresser, where I stockpile small indulgences throughout the year. But many of my comforts were originally gifts that I simply saved for whenever a homegrown unhappiness remedy might be required.
Let's see what we find: a box of chocolate truffles; miniature (one-serving size) fruit cordials and after-dinner drinks; an aromatherapy bath treatment to promote serenity; various British decorating magazines (look for them at large cosmopolitan newsstands); a small vial of Bach's "Rescue Remedy", a homopathic essence available at health food stores; a velvet herbal sleeping pillow to induce pleasant dreams; a satin eye mask to shut out distractions; rose-scented bubble bath and talc; old love letters tied with a silk ribbon; a scrapbook of personal mementos; a tin of fancy biscuits; and an assorted gift sampler of unusual teas.
Notice the simply abundant pattern of pleasure? Here is all that is required for the spoiling and pampering of a world-weary woman: a fabulous bath, something scrumptious to nibble, something sentimental to conjure up happy memories, something lovely to sip, and something delightful to read. Now change your sheets, fill your hot water bottle, and assemble a half-dozen white votive candles on a tray. Place the tray on your dresser in front of a mirror, strike a match, and ceremoniously create your own northern lights. Play some soothing music and put on your favorite pajamas or nightgown. Get into bed and luxuriate. If this doesn't work, take two aspirins and call me in the morning.
When outfitting your comfort drawer, be sure to line it with a lovely floral shelf paper and tuck in some scented sachets so that the drawer will delight your senses. Wrap your comforts in pretty jewel-colored tissue paper and tie them with beautiful ribbons. This way, when you open your drawer, you'll see a dazzling array of wonderful presents- gifts of the heart for the most deserving person you know.
Self-discipline. Self-mastery. A concept we all struggle with. I have just recently realized the importance of disciplining yourself. In his essay, "The Common Denominator of Success", E.M. Gray says "The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose." We all have things we don't like to do that we need to do in order to succeed. I struggle every day with small decisions, ones that (if I don't choose wisely) can hurt me in the long run. Working out, eating healthy, studying, going to bed on time. Decisions that affect my health. Decisions that affect how well I do in school, and whether or not I achieve my goals. It is so easy to stay up that extra hour, or put off doing a homework assigment until the last minute. Or go to bed with a full face of makeup on or not working out that day. These decisions can and do hurt me. They stand in the way of me accomplishing a goal. Every time I make one of these decisions, I am ultimately making a larger decision that affects a life aspiration. When I decide to say "no" to working out, I also say "no" to looking great on swimsuit for swimsuit competition. When I say "no" to doing my homework with ample time, I say "no" to making a good grade in the class, and ultimately making a 4.0. This week, I will strive to be disciplined. I will think maturely about every decision I make. I will give myself two hours of resting, meditation, and planning. I will go to bed early every night and make the decisions that will allow me to say "yes"- to winning a local pageant, to doing well in school, to feeling good about myself.