Some days, training feels effortless. Other days… not so much. Perseverance is what gets you through the second kind. It’s the willingness to keep going even when progress feels slow, and to trust that effort will pay off.

In martial arts, perseverance is finishing the drill when your muscles are tired, turning up for class on the rainy nights, and not quitting after a frustrating session.

In life, it’s the same: studying for exams, saving for a goal, or working through a challenge in your career or relationships.

Here in Needham, I see perseverance from the boxing club, inspiring passers-by on their evening runs through winter, in local musicians who practise late into the night, and in the countless small acts of determination that keep our community thriving.

Brian the Budo Badger was spotted puffing his way around the lakes. He might not have been the fastest, but he didn’t stop until he’d done his laps.

Sometimes, the greatest victory is simply not giving up.