A moment to learn from Darwin's perseverance
On Charles Darwin's birthday, we look at how he almost gave up (but didn't).
“People talk about caterpillars becoming butterflies as though they just go into a cocoon, slap on wings, and are good to go. Caterpillars have to dissolve into a disgusting pile of goo to become butterflies. So if you’re a mess wrapped up in blankets right now, keep going.”
― Jennifer Wright
Happy birthday to Charles Darwin, who showed us almost 200 years ago that perseverance can’t exist without struggle.
In 1831, Darwin was invited on a trip around the world to work as a naturalist on the HMS Beagle. This trip ultimately shaped Darwin’s future and our own understanding of how life evolves on Earth, but it almost didn’t happen because Darwin’s father wasn’t a fan of the idea.
Darwin was incredibly intrigued by the invitation, but he was almost convinced by his father’s reasoning on the matter. Instead of giving up, though, Darwin sought out his uncle Josiah Wedgwood, whom his father respected greatly, and the two were able to change Darwin’s father’s mind, according to the American Museum of Natural History.
What we can learn from this historical example is that sometimes it’s worth following your dreams, even when others don’t see your vision. Sometimes, great things will happen as a result.
The fact is that, without gods, you are the author of your own life, and that means you get to choose how your story is written. It also means that you can overcome writer’s block if you just keep scribbling, putting down words on the page. More often than not, you’ll come up with something beautiful.
Next time you feel like giving up on something important to you, remember that the best things in life don’t come overnight. Sometimes, greatness takes some time. If you persevere, taking things one day at a time and making little choices that work toward your goal, you will eventually get there. And when you arrive, you might be surprised by how impressive the view is, and proud of the journey you took.
It’s not always easy to keep going, but even if that’s the only thing you can do, sometimes it’s enough.
Stay Reasonable!
David