Faith is a genuine belief that God has a plan for our lives, and understanding that it is His plan and not ours. Faith is not having to worry—worrying is merely praying for what we don’t want. Faith is a choice—choose it over fear. Faith moves mountains. Faith is believing in that which we do not see, and then watching it turn into what we believe.
“Faith—it does not make things easy, it makes them possible.” — Luke 1:37
Effort is getting the mission accomplished through hard work, and ultimately the only path to a life of no regrets. Effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential. Effort separates excellence from mediocrity, and winners from losers. Effort dictates success. Effort is where the satisfaction lies, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.
“Oh Lord, thou givest us everything, at the price of an effort.” — Leonardo da Vinci
Gratitude is the act of reminding ourselves what we have now was once among the things we only hoped for, and the things we take for granted someone else is praying for. Gratitude makes sense of the past, provides peace for today and gives hope for tomorrow. Gratitude makes fulfillment feasible. Gratitude changes everything. Gratitude is best expressed not just by uttering words, but also living by them.
“If the only prayer you said was thank you that would be enough.” — Meister Eckhart
Honor is what defines our character, and represents the prize for living life to a superior set of moral and ethical standards. Honor dictates what we ought to be, what we can be and what we will be. Honor is celebrating who a person is without stumbling over who they’re not. Honor is the reward for what we give. Honor is not the measure of a man in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
“We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” — Chuck Palahniuk
Courage is pressing onward despite uncertainty, peril and fear, because the greatest pleasure in life comes from doing what others say we cannot do. Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of triumph. Courage is being ourselves in a world that tells us to be someone else. Courage will turn our dreams into reality. Courage crushes fear. The courage we desire and covet is not the desire to die decently, but live boldly.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Commitment is the spirit of determination and dedication to see any endeavor through to completion no matter what struggles we encounter. Commitment means we are either in or we are out—there is no middle ground. Commitment separates the doers from the talkers. Commitment transforms a promise into reality. Commitment wins. Commitment is having the discipline to do what we know we should do, even when we don’t feel like doing it.
“A man can only be defeated in two ways. If he gives up or dies. Not dead. Can’t quit.” — U.S. Navy Seals