DON'T QUIT
Updated: Apr 9, 2020
Frustration and negative stress is a constant in the lives of many people, including myself. Whether we are facing health issues, job challenges, money upsets, or any number of the unknowns, crazy life events can totally wreck a persons healthy thought processes in a hurry. Sometimes, it can even become quite paralyzing. When these upsets, negatives and challenges occur in my life, I make an effort to focus on my priorities. Getting back on track with my roles and responsibilities in my life has an immediate impact on my frustrations and especially the negative stress that just wants to rip my brains out. And if I am still struggling, I recite to myself one of my favorite poems, as a reminder to persevere in the toughest and darkest times.
I often quote the last stanza of the following poem at the end of my training sessions. It has become my "theme" so to speak, and the gift that I like to leave with my audiences.
Don't Quit [Editor's Note: Several have claimed authorship of this poem, so I really don't know who to attribute it too. Some believe it is Edgar A. Guest,1881-1959]
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and debts are high, And you want to smile but 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 everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won if he'd stuck it out, Don't give up though the pace seems slow, You might succeed with another blow. Often the struggler has given up, When he might captured the victor's cup. And he learned too late, when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown, Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems afar, So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit, It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.