Some of you may know I have a passion for cooking. I really enjoy the way it calms me as I indulge my creativity in the kitchen. For those of you who are no stranger to the room with the refrigerator, you are most likely familiar with the art of “reduction.” This happens when you take a liquid and put it on the heat. As you slowly boil it down, most of the liquid evaporates and you are left with a concentrated liquid, preserving, and intensifying the flavor.
If we were to boil down and reduce one’s determination to its core, the concentrated liquid we would be left with would be this: “Determination means knowing what you want and not giving up until you get it.”
Many people exhibit some degree of determination, but many give up when the going gets tough. Some give up while the going is still easy.
When I think of determination, I can’t help but think of my yellow Lab who left us a little over a year ago. His name was Douglas MacArthur, or “Doug” as he was mostly known. The intense focus and determination he had on something as simple as a tennis ball was amazing. The routine that ensued each day when I returned home was hilarious. He was absolutely determined to play ball all day, every day. And… he would not give up until someone bought in to his plan. He was relentless… he was determined.
No matter what may come, the determined person hangs on. No matter how long the road, the determined person stays on the track. No matter how difficult the task, the determined person sticks with it. No matter what happens, the determined person completes the task.
Determination is sometimes characterized as “stubbornness” or “pig-headed” or “mule-like.” But they all describe the same attribute: Determination. These descriptions are used mostly by people who have never known determination for what it is… one of the great virtues that keeps the world on track.
A determined person gets what they want… because he, or she, never gives up while the cause is just, and the goal is unreached.
Know what you want, then go after it. Be relentless… be determined… like Doug.
Have a wonderful weekend.
TERRY Talks 
Terry so we’ll put.Our yellow lab would not come out of the water in freezing lake tahoe until she found THE stick. She’d swim out to boats 200 yards,swim over wake past lots of sticks, but would eventually find it and swimming happily in race up the stairs from the water excited for me to throw it again. Fond memories of Labrador life.
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