Human history has known many times of uncertainty and difficulty. Whether it’s the general atmosphere caused by the corona virus, lock-down or a personal matter that’s making us feel low, sometimes perspective can get lost, when we are having a difficult time. In those moments, negativity and stress seem to be winning. 

When we are going through a challenging moment, these inspiring words on perseverance through hard times, might offer some comfort with their simple wisdom and offer us that dose of perspective we didn’t know we needed.

Keep going
One step at a time
One hour at a time
One day at a time

“Adversity is never pleasant, but sooner or later, we all go through it. The good news is that every experience of adversity offers an opportunity to make a major leap forward on your journey to success and personal fulfillment. That sounds like cause for optimism indeed.” — Barry Griswell

“A deep-rooted strength is the result of a difficult journey.” — Karen Gibbs 

“Life is not easy for any one of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe we are gifted for something and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” — Marie Curie 

“Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” — Leroy Satchel Paige

“Hard times are like thunder. They make a lot of noise but do little harm. Don’t fear hard times.” — Debasish Mridha

“When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.”
— Thomas Jefferson  

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” — Joshua J. Marine

On many occasions, it’s not just someone’s physical or practical help that we need, but also their zeal and encouraging words. Poems can be a great source of comfort when we need motivation to pick ourselves up and keep going during a rough patch. 

Poem by John Greenleaf Whittier 

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit,

Life is strange with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns

And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow —
You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out —
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit —
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Do your best, plan for the worst and prepare to be surprised.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

Tough times don’t last, tough people do.