January 14

I was heading down my front steps this afternoon to go for a walk under beautiful blue skies when I glanced to the side and happened to spy this at eye-level.

In case it's hard to tell, "this" is a snail shell stuck between what's essentially a literal rock and hard place: bricks and cement. 

Although the journey clearly didn't end well for the slimy little thing, I chuckled as I admired the tenacity that it took to climb up so high. 

And it served as a good reminder that drive and determination are important components in the proverbial recipe for success.