In ‘google-researching’ perseverance, I constantly found references to faith. Concerned with crossing that church separation line, I hesitated, but realized that it is faith in one's self that allows for perseverance. And “from where’s” and “how’s” about a person’s faith is a personal decision. The important thing is faith and perseverance.

To quote Romans 5:3-5, which says: “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint.”

With hope and character:
We are controlled by values, not by moods.
We do what is right, not what is easiest.
We look for solutions, not make excuses.
We persevere when challenged, not give in.
Never give into complacency.
With a positive attitude and faith in ourselves,
we can persevere, resist temptation and succeed.

I. How Students Can Develop Character:

A. From http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/articles/trials.aspx, The Greek word for perseverance literally means “the ability to handle pressure.” That’s what perseverance is -- the ability to handle pressure, to hang in there, to never give up but to keep on keeping on. When we make it through a difficult time without giving up, our character and confidence are strengthened, enabling us to handle even more pressure when it comes in the future. Get stress hardy.

B. Developing perseverance & tenacity by developing a positive attitude. People with a positive attitude persevere in the face of challenges better. We’ve all known people like this, but often find that our own attitudes fluctuate from day to day.

How do we develop a consistent positive attitude? Abraham Lincoln once said, “It has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Here are a few things that we can do to “make up our minds” to have a positive attitude:

• Change the way you look at problems in your life--instead of focusing on the problem and why it upsets you, focus on finding the solutions.
• Get rid of the negative belief that you’re helpless--invariably there are new ways that you haven’t tried yet.
• Believe in yourself--take time to discover and build on your beliefs, a positive vision will help you get through many tough times.
• Don’t let the past control your future-focus instead on what you can do today and tomorrow.
• Treat mistakes as necessary learning--each one teaches you something that helps you move forward.
• Think about what you could do to help or give back to others--helping others takes your mind off your own frustrations.
• Give yourself a break--it takes time and persistence to change your attitude and your thinking. Get in the habit of giving yourself a mental “pat on the back” every time you succeed.

Much of this is about being adaptable. Interestingly, adaptability is a trait that is very highly correlated with living a longer and more satisfying life. For a great online newsletter just for kids to help with Perseverance, check out
http://www.lamplight.org/body-article.asp?id=1&sub_section=Character.

II. PERSEVERANCE IN THE HOME INCLUDES:

• Parents modeling perseverance to their children. Show them determination and hard work in pursuing a goal.
• Parents not giving their children everything, but teaching them patience in working and saving towards a desired item.
• Students keeping up with school and turning in homework and projects on time.
• Children doing their best with their chores and taking pride in their work.
• Children sticking with a commitment to a sports team or music lessons and putting in the time required for practice.
• But endless trials alone won’t necessarily lead our kids to persevere. As Ms. Cheryl says in Children At Promise, “Not every irritated oyster produces a pearl, despite its potential” (p. 93). Overwhelmed by an onslaught of trials, kids may be tempted to just give up, to lie down and call it quits - to stop taking their insulin, to quit searching for a true friend, to abandon their college dreams, or to run away from home.
• How are you teaching kids to hang in there and finish the work they’ve begun? All of us can love, grow, and hope in spurts. The beauty of perseverance is that it helps us keep loving, keep growing, and keep hoping. Unconditional love.
• Continue to listen to your child’s thoughts even though they conflict with your opinions, and using "soft answers" instead of "harsh words.
  
  http://ci.mission-viejo.ca.us/depts/rcs/cchar-wordofmonthjan.pdf great newsletter.

III. STUDENT ACTIVITIES:

1. How has negative or positive peer pressure played a role in your successes and failures? Brainstorm ways in which you can all become more self-disciplined in school. Discuss the problems students face, such as procrastinating and cutting classes. Make a list of the skills and attitudes needed for students to take more responsibility for their own learning, and to reach their goals.

2. Select someone in your community who exemplifies the quality of diligence. Invite this person to speak to your class about his/her own background, any obstacles overcome, and the factors that led to his/her success.

3. Break up into small groups, and conduct a survey in your school, asking questions like these: Where do you want to be in five years, in ten years? What are you now doing to get to where you want to be? What are the most serious obstacles that prevent people from accomplishing their goals? Share what you have learned from this process with the entire class.

2. As a group, research Thomas Edison’s life. See what general principles you can glean from his methods and work habits that you can apply to your own studies. Make a list of these principles, and present them in the form of a bulletin board or as a group report.

2. Write about an event in your life in which you succeeded at something which was very challenging. How much did any of the above listed behaviors contribute to your success? What did you learn from that?

2. Benjamin Franklin said, “Diligence is the mother of good luck.” What does that mean? How true is it?

IV. QUOTES & FURTHER READING:

“I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to happen.” By Frank Lloyd Wright

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.” By Abraham Lincoln

“Many strokes, though with a little ax, can tear down the hardest oak.” By William Shakespeare

“There is no place where success comes before work, except in the dictionary.” By Donald M. Kimball

“A trip of a thousand miles starts with one step.” Chinese Proverb

“For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all. And all you have to do to win, is rise each time you fall.” From The Race, D. H. Groberg

“Nothing is free; everything is bought at a price. Success does not just come because you want it; you must work hard to earn it.” By Mark Kelley, High School Senior

Reading lists:

http://www.wakegov.com/county/libraries/kidsandteens/perseverence12022004.htm

For any char. trait - http://www.wakegov.com/county/libraries/kidsandteens/forkids.htm

Also http://www.boca.pinecrest.edu/Teachers/Smith/Perseverance.htm