Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States, was a man famous for his “New England reserve” in every aspect of life – and his use of words in particular. He is by far one of the most commonly read and quoted political figures known to modern students of magic, even if he is not known by them to be so. His famous quote adorns the opening pages of Israel Regardie’s now legendary work, “The Golden Dawn” and is often mistakenly attributed to Regardie.
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Words as potent today as when they were first spoken.
To this end, my “persistence” begins. Persistence towards achieving our stated fundraising goal of $25,000 for the formation of an endowment for our annual conference so that the esotericism in general, and the Institute for Hermetic Studies in particular, will have an active and dynamic future.
We are at the 60 per cent mark of our current fundraising efforts and now is when persistence is needed the most. It is easy to walk away and call it a day and we could say we are ahead of the game. One study shows that many people quit what they have begun at around the 40% mark. But 60% is not the goal and our goal was set for a reason: that amount or more is what is needed to incarnate the vision. If 60% were a class grade it would be considered “Poor” or even “Failing”. So this is where persistence is required.
We will persistently ask of you and everyone associated with us to do what must be done, for if not you, who? If not now, when?
Greatness comes from achievement, achievement comes from effort, and effort comes from dedication to a vision of the possible. In my poor imitation of President Coolidge I will not belabor you with grand statements, rational discourse, or inspirational prose. Let me simply say:
Help build a future wherein esotericism has a place, wherein your children, your grandchildren, and even you – if you believe in reincarnation – have access to these teachings and practices. That is what this is about, and the time to give, to build, to help is now.
Use the link below, today, to make your support known. Thank you.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/ihs-endowment-resources-for-another-20-years
Sincerely,
Mark Stavish, M.A.
Director of Studies
