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Where there’s a will, there is way!
It is often said that “Where there’s a will, there is a way”; that means, if you are really determined to do something, however difficult it may be, and even apparently impossible, you will sooner or later find a way of doing it. The emphasis is on the will to do it; where there’s a will, a way will be found.
It is lack of will that counts for failure in 99 cases out of 100. Lack of will is in two degrees. First, though we say we want to do a certain thing, and persuade ourselves that we really do, in reality we do not, at any rate, make any effort or sacrifice for doing it. So, to comfort ourselves for making no attempt, we set to work to find excuses, and make mountains out of mole-hills. “There is a lion in the way!” we cry. We exaggerate every difficulty, and so fill our minds with the obstacles in the way, and persuade ourselves that attainment is impossible.
Or it may be that we really want to do something but our will to do it is weak; it is like a thin, feeble stream of water which is turned aside or blocked by every small obstacle in its path. The “will” in the proverb is a strong determination that will never take “No” for an answer, and that perseveres in spite of failure after failure, still undaunted, it is a will like a rushing torrent, that sweeps rocks through every obstruction. A fierce desire, a strong determination, that will make light of difficulties, this is a sort of will that finds the way to achievement. This is the spirit that cries:
“Then welcome each rebuff
That turns earth’s smoothness rough,
Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand, but go!
Be our joys three-part pain!
Strive, and hold cheap the strain;
Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe!”
Many a men who became famous as scholars, artists, statesmen, inventers, businessmen, had to struggle against apparently insuperable obstacles to win success. It was their undaunted will to succeed that in the end found the way to success. Napoleon said that the word “impossible” was not found in his dictionary.
Take the story of Pallissy, the French potter. He made up his mind to discover a pure white glaze for China. He was a poor man, and had but little education, but for twenty years he worked at his task, trying hundreds of experiments and failing in all. His wife and neighbours called him a lunatic, for he ruined himself by his efforts. But in the end he succeeded, and became a famous man. He had the will, and he found the way,
So, let your motto be nil desperandum; Never despair!
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