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Tuesday September 3 we begin our new fall schedule, CLICK HERE FOR FALL SCHEDULE
Moral of the Month: Diligence
“Dreams don’t work unless you do.” –Anonymous
If we look back on our own accomplishments, we may likely find that the ones we are most proud of were hard earned. Perhaps they took months or years to achieve or required sums of energy or willpower we never knew we possessed. Indeed, the fruits of our labors commonly take extensive amounts of time and effort and care. And to get to the point where we can enjoy them requires, among other things, diligence.
From the Latin term diligere, meaning “to take delight in, to value highly,” diligence truly does embody a sense of earnestness in one’s endeavors. Whether spending many a sleepless night pursuing an advanced degree, taking great pains to learn a new skill, or tirelessly training for a black belt, diligence enables us to meet our goals, and to appreciate the many and challenging steps along the way.
A virtue in its own right, diligence is the application of careful and persistent effort. It is about giving your all and knowing that the outcome will reflect your efforts. In many aspects, it is its own reward. In diligence, there is patience, improvement, accomplishment and pride in a job well done. There is no wonder it is so valued.
“I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.”
—Abraham Lincoln
So how do we foster this essential trait in ourselves and others? For individuals, setting goals and prioritizing actions that support those goals can help to maintain focus and keep things in perspective. Check in with yourself and celebrate milestones.
Parents and caregivers need look no further than the literary world for cultivating diligence. Classic tales like The Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, or The Ant and the Grasshopper help to solidify diligence for young ones. Children can compare the quick, careless construction of the first two pigs’ houses, for example, with the third pig’s lengthier, more thoughtful build, or point out the differences between the lazy, frivolous rabbit and the determined tortoise who plodded on to finish first. They can also elect who, between the industrious ant and the laid-back, short-sighted grasshopper, they would rather be. Discussion can go in so many directions.
Diligence shows itself in everyday life, as well, and parents can shine a light on it by talking about their own challenges and accomplishments, helping children to set goals, praising hard work and determination, and pointing out the positive consequences of their efforts.
“Hard work spotlights the character of people; some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.”
—Samuel Ewing
Our students practice diligence each day they train on the mats, and with each new stripe or color belt they earn. They exhibit excellence with their hard work, and that is something we celebrate and encourage.