Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low – and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit –
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

I recalled this poem this morning just after I got out of bed and realised that sometimes we all need to hear this.
Life goes on – regardless of where we are situated within it at any given time.
The sun comes up each day. At times the sun is obscured by clouds but it is still there.
Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there waiting to find you again.

Many, many people are struggling with various issues in their lives. Be it depression, illness, disabilities or worrying about how they are going to put the next meal on the table. Every person has something that causes anxiety or stress. Until we walk a mile in the shoes of others, we will not understand.
The easy way out is to give up. I guess if someone wants to do that, then they can but it won’t take the issue away. The issue will still be there waiting.
If giving up means taking your life then yes, it will solve YOUR problem. But you will never again know the joy of watching the sun rise or observing a child play. It is so final. (disclaimer: this is what I have learned through my own observations and experiences).

Apparently what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.
Right now, I reckon I should look like Arnie in his hey day!

So today, I am telling myself:
To keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking baby steps.
To look for the beauty as I go about my day.
To be grateful that although my health is flawed, I am breathing.
To hug those I love and tell them what they mean to me.
To find some joy.
To listen to the birds.
To listen to music.
To sing.
To meditate.
To sew.

But I will not quit!!!