Don't give up at your first hurdle

Someone has written “there may be more to learn from climbing the same mountain a hundred times than by climbing a hundred different mountains”.

So don’t give up at the first hurdle! Here are stories of three different people who became achievers in spite of the opinion of others.

Fred Astaire the well known song and dance man - after his first screen test, a 1933 memo from the MGM testing director said, "Can't act. Slightly bald. Can dance a little." Astaire can’t be blamed for keping that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.

Ever heard of Ray Kroc? He was a relatively unsuccessful marketer of restaurant equipment, and he didn't sell his first hamburger until he was 52 years of age. At a time when many people prepare for retirement, Ray Kroc built McDonald's from a handful of hamburger stands into the world's largest food chain.

Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper for lacking ideas. He also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland, which is the most successful holiday destination for families from all over the world.

St Francis of Assissi, the thirteenth century Italian founder of the Franciscans said “What I am in God’s sight is what I am. No more; no less!"

So don’t give up! Man’s opinion matters not. Keep close to God - follow the advice of the Bible - Matthew 6:33 “I first seek God and His righteousness and all I need is being added to me” – John 5:6 “God knows and ministers to my deepest need” and Romans 8:28 “I am assured that all things work together for good according to God’s purposes for me”.