Socrates and the dog... an example of persistence

Many of us are struggling to readjust in the world as the financial crisis has laid waste our foundations. Jobs, homes and possessions have been lost in the last few years as a series of cutbacks, like an earthquake, has uprooted and destroyed many lives.
As those affected try to rebuild, self-employment seems to be the only option. The wake up call has been a steep learning curve if you have always been employed and employable. On the positive side however, there is an opportunity to turn a dream into a service. Business, work and selling one's skills can be fun and lucrative it is said if you follow your heart and do what you love doing.
Personally I've not found it that simple. There is the 'School of Hard Knocks' to overcome alongside other's scepticism that you will ever make it in your chosen profession. In an aggressively competative market how are you ever going to be successful with a caring, sharing attitude?
I have learnt a very important lesson in all of this and it is the example of Socrates and the dog. When Socrates first started teaching he often found that no one came to attend his lectures. On one occassion it is said that a dog wandered into the hall and lay down to sleep. Not to be put off however, Socrates just carried on and gave his lectures and teachings AS IF he had a following and an audience. He lived approximately between 470 and 399 BC and is one of the greatest acknowledged philosophers to have ever lived. He is still revered today. His persistence obviously paid off!!!
It is through persistence and by turning up regardless that the Universe 'gets it'. "Oh, so you are serious about doing this then? Ah, well we had better help you!" I may be thought of as stubborn by some and foolhardy by others but I do know that if you persist then circumstances eventually conspire in your favour. It may take a seemingly endless time to get there and like King Sisyphus you may have to continually roll that rock up the hill only to see it roll all the way down again. Despair is easy to come by when the pressure is on to pay the bills but if you have a dream in your heart, don't succumb to negative thoughts. Hold tight, and keep turning up regardless!