I didn’t figure I’d ever get a chance to write an article that combined astrology, my favorite quotation about sticking it out, my home town, and how to find your dream job all in one spot, but now’s that time.

Talk about being in the zone!

One of the biggest challenges for all of us who are trying to find our life’s work are the laying-awake-at-night-3:00 a.m. moments when you’re filled with self-doubt and wondering whether you’ve got what it takes to make the changes in your life that will get you to where you need to go.

It’s during these times that I read motivational literature and review my rather vast collection of keep going quotes and stories.

My favorite quote on the “determination is everything” front is from Winston Churchill (I’m an amateur historian of World War II and the homefront in England) and it’s really quite simple.  He said:  If you’re going through hell, keep going.

Makes sense to me.  Who’d want to be in hell any longer than necessary?  Don’t languish and feel sorry for yourself, just keep moving forward. 

So, it was with a bit of surprise that I came across the following in a recent issue of the Santa Fe Reporter, Santa Fe, New Mexico’s alternative weekly paper.  I live and work in Santa Fe, one of my favorite spots on the planet, and what I enjoy the most about the place is the sheer and incredible variety of people that live here.  Not only is Santa Fe filled with an incredibly diverse population of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo peoples, it’s one of the country’s most artsy-fartsy places so there’s always something interesting to see, do, and taste.

Reading the Reporter each week is one of my favorite see-what’s-going-on-about-town pastimes.  And, it’s through the Reporter that I first came across Rob Brezsney and his really fun-to-read Free Will Astrology column.

I’m not sure I’d admit in public to being an astrology believer, but I read horoscopes any way (don’t most people?) and am probably like the atheist who prays . . . just in case.

I’m a Virgo, so the column that Brezsny wrote today really hit home, and I’ll copy it here:

“If you are going through hell, keep going,” said Winston Churchill.  Let that advice be your inspiration in the coming week, Virgo.  But wait:  Before you jump to conclusions about what I’m saying, know this:  Your tests and trials will be far, far less hellish than the ordeals Churchill faced as he led England through World War II.  It’s true that you may feel a bit tortured in the heat of the moment, though.  So don’t you dare slow down to feel sorry for yourself or scream at the chaos-makers.  Keep plodding forward, secure in my assurance that you’ll cross the border and exit out of the infernal regions well before you’re exhausted.

God, I just love this guy — he’s a sure Top5er, as anyone who can weave in one of my favorite historical figures and his quote into my own horoscope has my attention.

Stay the course, Dream Jobbers, and don’t give up, never give up (okay, another tip-o-the-hat to old Winnie).

And, check out Brezsney whenever you can — the guy’s a hoot.

And, let me know what quotes get you through your own 3:00 a.m. willies.

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