Stellar Synonyms

[Mark McIntosh]

“How about those Rockies?” beamed physical trainer Matt Hammel as I climbed aboard a Stairmaster for a workout the morning after the Colorado Rockies 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. The 11-inning victory was Colorado’s 19th win in the last 20 games on its improbable, unbelievable and exhilarating regular season and post season dash from chumps to potential champs. Everywhere you go in Denver these days, baseball and non-baseball fans have jumped on the Rockies bandwagon. Two words seem to creep into every conversation revolving around baseball’s all-time best surge that has led to Colorado’s first World Series appearance: patience and perseverance.

“Go get a dictionary,” I breathlessly stammered at Hammel. “Look up the definition of patience and perseverance.” A short while later the excellent trainer returned and reported:“Patience is defined as calm endurance of hardship or annoyance. Perseverance is defined as to continue steadfastly, especially with something difficult or tedious.”

Either definition accurately describes how the Rockies turned what appeared to be just another ho-hum season into the greatest campaign in the club’s 15-year history. Earlier this season with the team floundering critics were calling for ownership to sell the club, fire the general manager, jettison the field manager and fans were staying away from Coors Field. Despite the heated criticism, team management remained patient, the players persevered and now the Rockies are the talk of baseball. They recently were – for the first ever – a Sports Illustrated cover story.

It’s been a great example of – patience - the benefit of calm endurance of hardship and annoyance. It has also been a great example of – perseverance - the benefit to continue steadfastly when times are difficult or tedious. It’s a truth that transcends sports.

Halfway through the workout, I ask Hammel. “Which comes first, patience or perseverance? If you had to choose one or the other, which would you choose?” He stood there, staring at the dictionary, analyzing the two words’ respective definitions and suggested, “I don’t think you can distinguish between the two, they’re synonymous.”

I think he’s right. Speaking of synonymous, the characteristic the Rockies have displayed – patience or perseverance take your pick – is a wonderful and necessary trait we can utilize against difficult and tedious hardships we face at home, work and in our communities. The venues change, but the strategy is the same, right? Might it be time to exercise patience with your marriage, children or other relationships? Might it be time to display perseverance with career goals or physical and mental challenges like quitting smoking or losing weight?

This week, don’t quit in your desire to reach desired dreams and goals, personal or professional. Hang in there! With yourself and others, exercise patience or perseverance, the stellar synonyms. Success might be right around the corner! You’ll never know without enduring steadfastly life’s difficult and tedious hardships. The key is to endure.

Those beliefs have sparked the Rockies “freakish run” and sure helped me complete a great workout. They can help you finish whatever challenging tasks you face too.