Perseverance is something easy to talk about and hard to do. It’s the virtue that we all need to endure the challenges that come with the human condition. But what do we stand to gain by persevering? Many people think of perseverance as just ‘toughing it out’ and suffering in silence, but that’s not virtuous.

Perseverance is defined as: the steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

Putting up with abuse and poor treatment isn’t virtuous. Just because you are enduring suffering doesn’t mean you’re persevering. Working that dead end job isn’t persevering unless its a stepping stone or used to support something meaningful like your family. Perseverance is about the end goal. To have a purpose for your suffering because enduring it means you will achieve something greater is what perseverance is really about.

Everything that is worthwhile and meaningful sits on the other side of overcoming challenge, and depending on how high you are trying to shoot, you might have a lot of suffering and growth to go through until you get there, and that’s where perseverance is essential.

My understanding of perseverance was taught to me through the practice of martial arts. One of the best things about the martial arts, that I think those who quit their practice fail to see is that the journey never ends. A true martial artist must sharpen their skill everyday, for there is no special day when you reach a level that no longer requires you practice and learn. And then one day you become the teacher and you learn even more through teaching others, and you are still required to grow.

The same principle applies to life. Life never stops. Life will always test you, for change never ceases. New challenges will arise like the tide, and you must be strong and persevere to not be swept under the waves.

The Zen principal of mujo (impermanence) teaches us that the only constant in the universe is change, and there is only cycles of progression or regression. All is subject to mujo, nothing stands still. All is in motion so ask yourself, are you moving toward growth or decay? This is why perseverance is key. Perseverance is needed to polarize to progress, and ensure spiritual growth.

At the White Tiger Ryu I was taught an exercise named the Iron Cross. Students would spread their legs wide and bend the knees into a deep horse stance. The back is straight and the arms come up at the sides, parallel to the ground. This stance is held for several minutes, increasing in length as the student progresses.

This exercise strengthens the body, but its primary purpose is as an exercise for the mind and spirit. The Iron Cross is an exercise used to build your perseverance. It teaches you to endure and be resolute through the pain and difficulty. Drilling and sparring are difficult enough, but to end with the Iron Cross is a brutality that can either refine you mental and spiritual strength, or make you want to quit.

I used to suffer through it just because I was too proud to let myself appear weak. But when I learned the Iron Cross’ true intention, I endured the suffering for the fruits of character and spirit. What’s funny about perseverance is that its so much easier to do with a strong purpose behind it.

We have all heard of the Japanese ninja who could accomplish impossible missions no matter the cost. Well, and interestingly enough the Japanese kanji for “ninja” (shinobi) can be interpreted as “to endure and bear” or ” to persevere”. To achieve this level of skill, the ninja had to train themselves to endure extreme discomfort, survive combat, and master the mental and emotional aspects of themselves to accomplish the mission.

Nothing mattered more than the mission. Not saying that was always right or healthy, but you get the idea. To achieve hard things, you have to go through hard things regularly and that takes strength, courage and perseverance.

To have anything meaningful that one desires in life, one must persevere. The universe does not give that which is not deserved. Expect to be challenged for the things you want, and do not deterred by initial failure. You will continue to fail until you are worthy of your desire, so you must persevere through failure and work until you have it.

Like the river that forges a canyon, you must be the water that wears down the rock. The canyon is not carved into the stone of the earth overnight. The water’s work took years, but it eventually found its way. Perseverance conquers all.

Perseverance is the ultimate cheat code. By persevering, you are rigging the game. How? By continuing to play the game until you win. There is no losing with perseverance, there is only learning and continuous hard work until the goal is accomplished. In fact, the game of life is already rigged in your favor; the universe is designed to help you win. You must be strong enough to rise above life’s tide. Attract what you desire, work to deserve it, and the universe shall give it to you. Nothing can stop one who perseveres, and that is why I have chosen perseverance as one of my virtues.

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