Persistence Is Worth Its Weight in Gold!

Eight years ago, in 2018, I embarked on a journey called the Master Key Experience (MKE), and what an amazing experience it was!

I didn’t finish the course. In fact, I only made it about halfway through. But let me tell you something: **what happened in my life as a result of those few months was nothing short of amazing!**

You see, back in 2018, my Definite Major Purpose (DMP) was to **travel the world and touch lives around the world.**

That was my dream. Not just to visit beautiful places or collect passport stamps, but to experience different cultures, meet people, build relationships, and make a difference in the lives of people wherever God allowed my feet to land.

And guess what?

I DID IT!

Well, I started doing it!

From a Definite Major Purpose to Living My Dream

In November 2019, I packed my bags, left the United States, and embarked on what was supposed to be a five-year journey around the world!

Yes, FIVE YEARS!

I had a plan, a dream, and the determination to make it happen.

My journey took me to:

– November 2019: Bali, Indonesia
– December 2019: Vietnam
– January 2020: Chang Mai, Thailand
– February 2020: Kyoto, Japan
– March 2020: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Five countries in five months!

Can you imagine how excited I was?

I was living the very dream I had written down during my Master Key Experience.

I was meeting people, discovering new customs, cultures, and cuisines. Experiencing different ways of life, and seeing the world through an entirely different lens.

I was doing exactly what I had set out to do: traveling the world and touching lives along the way.

And then something happened that none of us could have anticipated.

COVID-19!

In March 2020, while I was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the pandemic changed everything.

Borders began closing. Travel restrictions went into effect. The world as we knew it came to a standstill.

And my five-year journey around the world came to an unexpected end.

I returned to the United States.

But here’s what I want you to understand.

The pandemic interrupted my journey, but it did not erase my dream!

And looking back today, I realize something even more important.

I had only completed half of the MKE course, and yet I had already experienced the power of turning a written purpose into action!

Imagine what might be possible when I complete all 26 weeks!

Eight Years Later, Here I Am Again!

Fast-forward to 2026.

I’m back!

Eight years older, a little wiser, and carrying a whole lot more life experience.

And this time, I’m determined to finish what I started.

I know firsthand that the Master Key Experience is more than just another personal development program. I experienced what happens when you begin changing your thinking, developing new habits, and becoming intentional about the life you want to create.

My 2018 DMP helped give me the clarity and courage to step out into the world and live a dream that many people only talk about.

Now I’m back to discover what God has in store for this next chapter of my life.

My dreams have grown. My understanding of purpose has deepened. And my desire to live a life of love, peace, service, and meaningful relationships is stronger than ever.

I still want to travel the world and touch lives.

But I also want to build a peaceful, sustainable home where my family and loved ones can thrive, where we can care for one another, grow our own food, use our God-given gifts, and live in harmony.

A place where love is abundant, faith is foundational, and everyone has an opportunity to discover and fulfill their purpose.

I believe there is still so much more life to live, so many people to meet, and so many opportunities to make a difference.

And I am excited about what comes next!

A Little Behind, But Not Defeated!

Now, let me confess something.

I didn’t exactly get off to a running start this time around!

Here we are in Week 2, and I was already behind. I hadn’t completed Week 1, and I had some catching up to do.

But you know what?

Being behind is not the same as being defeated!

So I got busy.

I completed my assignments, caught up on my work, and now I am excited to say:

I AM CAUGHT UP AND READY FOR WEEK 3!

And that feels wonderful!

One thing life has taught me is that the important thing is not how many times we get interrupted. It’s whether we have the determination to keep going.

My first MKE experience was interrupted when I left to go live my dream.

My world travels were interrupted by a global pandemic.

But neither interruption means the story is over!

I’m still here. I’m still dreaming. I’m still growing.

And most importantly, I’m still moving forward!

Persistence Is Worth Its Weight in Gold

I chose the picture attached to this blog because its message speaks directly to my heart.

Persistence is worth its weight in gold!

Isn’t that the truth?

We live in a world where it’s easy to start something. We get excited, inspired, motivated, and ready to conquer the world.

But when life happens, distractions appear, or things don’t go according to plan, that’s when persistence becomes priceless.

My own journey is proof that life doesn’t always unfold the way we imagine.

I left the country expecting to spend five years traveling the world. Five months later, I was returning home because of circumstances completely beyond my control.

But those five months were real.

Those experiences were real.

The people I met, the places I visited, and the memories I created were real.

And the dream that inspired me to go in the first place is still alive!

Sometimes our journeys take unexpected turns. Sometimes we have to pause, regroup, and begin again.

But a pause does not have to become a permanent stop.

And eight years later, I’m choosing to persist.

Shedding the Cement and Discovering the Gold Within

One of the things I love most about the Master Key Experience is the idea of shedding the cement that has covered the beautiful person God created each of us to be.

Life has a way of piling things onto us.

Expectations. Responsibilities. Disappointments. Fear. Doubt. Other people’s opinions. Even our own limiting beliefs.

Before we know it, we can become so busy surviving, producing, and meeting everyone else’s needs that we lose sight of the magnificent person underneath it all.

But I believe God created every one of us with a purpose.

There is something unique inside each person, something valuable that the world needs.

Sometimes the greatest work we can do is not becoming somebody new, but uncovering who we were created to be all along.

That’s what makes this journey so special to me.

I’m not simply returning to complete a 26-week course.

I’m returning to continue the process of discovering, growing, and becoming more intentional about the life God has placed in my heart.

And when I finish, I want to be part of helping others experience that same transformation.

I want to join my MKE family in helping people shed their cement, discover the gold within, recognize their gifts, and find their own Definite Major Purpose.

Because I know what happened when I began living mine!

I went from writing about traveling the world to actually traveling the world!

And if my story can encourage just one person to believe that their dream is possible, then sharing it is worth it.

My Promise to Myself

As I prepare to enter Week 3, I’m making a commitment.

I will show up.

I will do the work.

I will remain teachable.

I will be patient with myself while holding myself accountable.

And most importantly:

I WILL PERSIST UNTIL I SUCCEED!

I’m not looking for perfection. I’m building consistency.

I know there will be days when I don’t feel like reading, writing, sitting still, or completing another exercise.

But I’ve experienced what happens when I commit to the process.

And this time, I want to experience what happens when I follow through all the way to the finish line!

To My MKE Family

If you’re reading this and you’re a little behind, keep going!

If you’ve started something before and didn’t finish, you’re in good company.

If life interrupted your dreams, don’t assume that means they are over.

Sometimes the journey takes longer than we planned.

Sometimes we take the scenic route.

And sometimes we have to return eight years later to finish what we started!

But what matters is that we keep moving forward.

I’m grateful to be back among people who are committed to discovering their purpose and becoming the best version of themselves.

I’m looking forward to learning, growing, sharing, encouraging others, and building relationships with my MKE family.

And this time, I intend to be there at Week 26, celebrating with all of you!

Week 1: Completed!

Week 2: Completed!

Week 3: Here I come!

I am back. I am committed. I am persistent. And I am going the distance!

Because persistence really is worth its weight in gold.

And I believe the greatest gold we will ever discover is the treasure God has already placed within each of us.

See you at the finish line, MKE family!

With gratitude, faith, and persistence,

I always keep my promises.
Jacqueline Jones