“Tough times never last. Tough people do.”
That was the message that I recently saw posted in the window of a shop in New Jersey. I see quotes all the time. However, this one really captured my attention – so much so that I just stared at it, reflecting on its perfect, simplistic truth. And even after I moved on, I kept thinking of the sign in that little shop’s window, “Tough times never last. Tough people do.” To be honest, it felt a little “burning bush-ish” to me.
I’ve always hoped that if He ever “spoke” to me, that it would be in plain English. Otherwise, I’m afraid that I might miss a really important message from Him. So there it was, or was it? “Tough times never last. Tough people do.” Based on how much it impacted me at the time, and how much I’ve thought about it since, I’m convinced that it was a message that I was supposed to see, regardless of who was responsible for posting it in the window.
For years now, we’ve been talking about “being tough, hanging tough, acting tough, toughening up, getting tough” and more. However, this little quote may be the most succinct, most accurate, most summarizing and most motivating message of all. For in it, we are reminded that however tough our circumstances are, we have a longer life cycle than our circumstances do. What a freeing concept!
We all hear our messages at different times, in different ways and at different volumes. And for whatever reason, I heard this message loud and clear. When something strikes me particularly strong, I usually feel compelled to pass it along in hopes that I can be a conduit for others to be just as enlightened.
If, at times, you don’t feel “tough enough,” then you haven’t the right perspective. Just remember, it’s always a battle of “You versus It.” Whatever “it” is, you are bigger. You can outsmart It and You can outlast It.
Tough people outlast tough times. Believe this. The window never lies.
Your toughest fan…
SHAUN
