Letters to my grandchildren (18)

Dear Chilliwops

Life sometimes seems really tough. Joseph P. Kennedy, the father of John F. Kennedy, former President of the United States, once said, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

Not a bad idea and a nice thought to hold onto. You may have heard that quote before, as I have many times throughout my life but one doesn’t have to be tough to succeed when the going does get tough.

What the message also implies – and this is very, very true – is that when the going gets tough, when you feel there is no hope, and when you are uncertain about the future, you must never, ever give up.

There are many people who have failed at first attempt; many people who thought they might not achieve their aims.

A very good friend of mine who knows I write letters to you about life experiences and challenges sent me the following message knowing I would share it with you. I thank him for that.

You know about or have at least heard of Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, The Beatles. Failures?

At some time they failed but they never gave up. Read on as these messages say much more than I can:

Love always,
Your Popple

*Anton Clever is well into his seventh decade … a former teacher, soldier, farm hand, lawyer and businessman (not in that order). He has travelled extensively for business and for international clients. More recently he has started writing … currently a thriller (which will probably not be worthy of publication, he says) and has written but not published a series of “postcards” from various places (specifically, Victoria, Papua New Guinea, France, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Iran) referring to experiences in those places. He has also written for several magazines on unusual subjects but matters worthy of debate.