🖋️ The Lioness Journals | January 19, 2026
This weekend, I decided to make some fresh juice. I used to indulge in this years ago pretty regularly on the weekends. I got the urge to do it again. I forgot one thing, however: how long it takes!
I pulled out the carrots, celery, kale and apples, and then I started washing them and cutting them into smaller pieces in preparation for the juicer.
I had a mess in the sink, the counter, small runaway scraps on the floor, but I was determined to have my juice!
I cleaned up the counter (and floor), and then set up the juicer. (I had to wash that too, because it was a bit dusty from lack of use.)
And then I started making the juice. I turned on the juicer, started feeding in the kale, then the celery pieces, then the carrots, and finally the apple slices. And within about 3 minutes (yes – it really only took 3 minutes), I had freshly made juice.
I looked at the juicer, and the new mess on the counter, and sighed. I wanted to clean up everything and put it all away before enjoying my fresh squeezed juice. So, I tackled the juicer and took everything apart, washed every piece, stacked it in the drying rack on my counter, wiped up the mess left behind on the counter.
And then I got a glass out, and poured that 3-minutes of actual juice-time into the glass. I sat down at my kitchen table, and I looked at my juice and hesitated.
From start to finish — from getting out the juicer to sitting at my kitchen table — it was a 50-minute activity. 50 minutes!!!! For a glass of juice.
That’s when the realization and the epic analogy hit me: There are very few things in this world that come easily to us unless we put in the time and effort to make them happen. If we pursue our dreams with consistency, persistence, and grit — if we refuse to back down and continue to work hard at what we want to achieve — eventually, the rewards will appear. But, we must put in the hard work.
There are no shortcuts in life.
There is no “fast-pass” or “express-pass” lane when it comes to showing up for our dreams, for ourselves, and leaving our mark on this world.
Juicing will forever be my own personal analogy for the importance of “putting in the work.” I will keep juicing, but every time I do, it will be a reminder that I need to continue to put in the hard work to achieve my dreams. It doesn’t matter how long it takes — if you put in the work, the results will eventually come.
I hope this meets you exactly where you need it today. As we move through January — the first month in 2026 — it is easy to get discouraged, especially if our New Year’s resolutions have fallen by the wayside.
But don’t give up: consistency and persistence are all you need. You can pick up where you left off and keep things moving forward.
I found some quotes this morning that really resonated with me regarding success and the hard work required to achieve goals. I trust you will find the motivation, the hope, and the encouragement you need to continue to pursue your goals and passions.
“If you do the work you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.” — Michael Jordan
“If you really want something, and really work hard, and take advantage of opportunities, and never give up, you will find a way.” — Jane Goodall
“Success isn’t always about greatness. It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come.” — Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson
“ I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” — Frank Lloyd Wright
I’m walking that path of consistency with you — let’s go tackle those goals with grit!
— With Gratitude,
Ronda 💛