Will You Stay?

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 dont you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure 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 slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint on the clouds of doubt,

And you can never 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 go wrong that you mustn't quit.

~ Unknown

***

A look at history demonstrates that this nation has persevered. Many, many Americans have suffered trials and tribulations, yet persevered. Some are quite famous and easily recognizable, while others have persevered without much fanfare or notice. Some are great inventors, scientists, entrepreneurs, athletes and artists. Some are your neighbors, relatives, parents and siblings. When you feel like giving up, look no further than the examples in history or the living examples that have demonstrated perseverance. Most, if not all, people who have persevered were/are common people with an uncommon desire to never quit.

When Glenn “Bo” Schembechler began his coaching tenure at the University of Michigan in 1969, he coined the slogan, “Those that stay will be champions.” Schembechler’s slogan is a statement about perseverance. “Those that stay,” is indicative that some will not have what it takes and will quit. “Will be champions,” is a testament that success will come to those that persevere. Schembechler was paraphrasing the old adage, “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” You cannot become a winner unless you are willing to persevere. The Good Book also teaches us about the benefits of perseverance, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” – Galatians 6:9. In other words, we shall reap, if we do not quit.

I ask you, are you willing to stay as long as it takes to become a champion?

***
It is your life: live it, love it & celebrate it
MJD