In those times when everything seems to be going just perfectly, it is easy to keep moving toward the fulfillment of your dreams and ambitions. You are in the flow. The whole world seems to be conspiring to create your success.

You might be inclined to think that this is the way it should always be. Easy.

I'll let you in on a little secret. If the going is easy, it is for only one of two reasons: the first is that you are on the wrong path; the second is that, if you are on the right path, it is because you have already proven yourself worthy by making it through the tough times.

Some days, when Tiger is on the golf course, it all goes like a dream...impossible shots end up inches from the cup, etc. Of course, all golfers wish it could be so easy as he makes it look. What makes it easy for him is the countless hours of practice over years going through endless difficulties just to learn how to hit the ball so it could go approximately where he wanted it to.

His strength and power comes from the learning he went through when it was tough. It is easy now because he learned how to overcome the difficulties. He persisted; he kept on keepin' on until his skills developed. He still has bad days when nothing seems to go right, (something other golfers are grateful for), but he knows that he knows how to get it right. This confidence was built by going through and surpassing the obstacles. He knows that if he plays his game, the flow will come back.

Of course, Tiger is a gifted golfer and most of us, no matter how hard we might practice, will never get to his level of the game. But, you can always get to the top of your game. You can get to a point where you are in the zone, in the flow and everything works the way you want it to.

To get there, you must persist during the times when it is all NOT going right. It is in these tough times where you learn what it takes to be in the flow. More importantly, you also learn who you are and what you are made of. Winners persist. Losers quit. It's that simple.

Persistence pays off. It always does. The ultimate dividends may be obscured while the problems are present, but more than character is built by persisting; skills, confidence, self-esteem, mental and emotional resources are built that would not have been without the difficulties.

Be grateful for the tough times. They make you tough. Later, after you have tasted success and tough times return (and they always do to test your resolve), you will be able to smile because you know that you can surmount difficulty by just keepin' on keepin' on.

So, if you are going through hell, just keep going. Fire bring temper to steel. Fire makes clay as hard as a rock. When the flow comes (and you are on easy street), you'll know that it was the fire that brought the flow.

Purpose plus passion plus PERSISTENCE = Prosperity!

Winners persist. Loser Desist.