8 Reasons Why You Should Never Give Up
I was once very fed up.
So very fed up that I had become acutely depressed and deeply despondent. So much so that I found myself on New Year’s Eve with a large knife to put myself out of my misery.
I figured that all my problems were proof that the world didn’t want me and that I was destined never to be happy. Leaving this life looked like the obvious answer.
It seemed the only way out. It wasn’t and it isn’t.
When we’re down or frustrated the whole world appears against us. Nothing goes right and whatever we try more failure or setbacks come our way.
We are tempted to throw in the towel and give up once and for all.
Well on that day that suicide came to call, I decided not to give up. Or give in. Instead I fought back and started again. It was the best thing I have ever done. Not least because I stayed alive but also chiefly because I learnt that when you are down you are not out. That when the going gets tough you have to stubbornly think, “Tough”, to your pain and hang on in there and win in the end.
So when you feel like giving in here’s 8 good reasons why you shouldn’t!
1. It could be the making of you
Some difficult situations demand the best of you. They test your mettle. When times are good and all is going smoothly it’s tempting to sit back and let things slide. Harder days challenge you to unlock your highest attributes and characteristics and show who you really are and what you are capable of. To get to show the world what you are made of.
You could be a major inspiration to others.
2. All could change for the better at any time
Sure, right now it stinks. But it could all alter in a blink of an eye. If you keep striving and searching at some point a breakthrough will occur. That could be today, tomorrow or in the next hour. You don’t know but why walk away when the turn of the tide could come at any moment?
Just ask Winston Churchill during the dark days of 1940!
3. Tomorrow is another day
Today hurts. Today your emotions are all over the place. You are lost and feeling beaten. Who hasn’t at some point? But that’s only today. Tomorrow hasn’t happened yet. Take a look at tomorrow’s date. It’s never existed before. It’s a brand new day. And with it can come brand new answers and information and the tide turns. The past has always given way to the future and tomorrow yours could be very bright.
Tomorrow could be the day you’ve waited for.
4. There could be unseen forces working on your behalf
When we are under the cosh we feel alone. Typically we think if we can’t solve it then it can’t be solved at all. But, in reality, most situations actually sort themselves out in the end. Changes in the lay of the land come about. Friends we have told about our sorrows secretly help out in the background. Rules and laws alter in our favour. People causing us distress get found out and brought to book. Unknown information gets given us and switches everything.The unseen may be working with you all along.
No news can be great news.
5. You are fine tuning your brilliance
In truth we would rather not have bad stuff come our way. But, when it does, it makes us improve. Streamline our lives and drop potential bad behaviour, habits or attitudes. Or stop being plain lazy or undisciplined. We have to work through the issues just like Thomas Edison famously did to invent the lightbulb. It took him 10,000 attempts to do it but, as he said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”. He fine tuned the lightbulb and his own determination and succeeded in the end.
Your problems are positives in disguise – your own personal lightbulb moments.
6. It could be a wake up call
Not all problems are hassles without a meaning. Some are caused by ourselves. Whilst we want the quickest doorway out of darker periods they make actually point to how we have been long damaging or sabotaging our own life. Continued nightmare scenarios are a sign that we need to take a good hard look at what we may be doing. They are the effects but we are the cause. If darkness persists maybe it’s time to shed light on the real source?
Some wake up calls start with an alarm first.
7. Because things can only get better
In the midst of a crisis it’s pretty horrible. But, wait a minute. Granted everything is crap right now and you feel the same but from here things can only get better. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. From this low point there’s only one way. Up! Yes, it’s been a rollercoaster ride but every rollercoaster finally stops and you will get off. Good times are going to roll in. Bit by bit the pressure will ease and the smiles return and you are going to feel plain fab that you’ve seen it through, made it out the other side and won the day.
When all seems lost remember the only way is up.
8. It’s just meant to be
Some may not find huge solace with this one but life sometimes gives us curve balls. Much as we’d love to avoid it certain events have destiny written over them. That includes great times as well as the less than happy. They come out of nowhere and disappear just as bewilderingly. In a strange relief it’s good to accept this. It’s something you have to go through and experience. It WILL shape your character and alter your outlook as well as teach you much. It can’t be planned or side stepped and though it feels personal, it’s not. Many will tell you. They’ve been through it. But they’ve survived and that was also meant to be.
What’s meant to be is meant to be.
Life is a test now and again. That’s a given. I know. I had some dark years of the soul. Hellish days that I thought would never end. Leading to a life I decided to end. But I didn’t. I hung on in there because something inside me knew that I shouldn’t give up. That in those tormented times something special was happening to me and that one day I could tell others in the sunshine.
As I write this the sun is shining. On my smiling face. I made it and so can you. Don’t give up PLEASE because you have every reason not to. And the main one is you. You will shine and good times will come again. Back then I was promised that one day I would cry tears of happiness. Today writing this post the promise was kept. I promise you one day you will do the same.
If you have a trouble to share or a story of how you never gave up please share it. We all help each other.
Image courtesy of Shermeee
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nice post, loved point number 2 , it gives a lot of hope
Hi Farouk, I totally agree. Hope is something that can keep us going when all appears lost. Believeing that the things can change for the better at any time is at the centre of true hope.
Hi John’
I just wanted to let you know how inspiring your article was. I can’t begin to express the value and relevance to me personally that I have gained from what you have written.
It was exactly what I needed to hear and you have given the ‘tools’ to help.
Your authenticity shines through and takes this to a different level from so many ‘self-help’ articles!
Once again I thank you for such a brilliant post,
warm hugs
Lindy
Lindy, bless you, it’s so nice to see you here. I am warmly touched by your kind words and so glad to have helped. We all can go through rough times and I wanted to share mine precisely because of what you said. I know how it feels to be on the edge of leaving life and if my words help anyone deal with the same, not give up and reach towards a time when their life is full of happiness then I am honoured to be part of that. Your own words show me that my journey was worth it for which I offer you my sincere thanks!! Be true – be you.
Very empowering article, John. I love this because you are man who walks his talk. Your experience and sincerity is powerful. There is not much too add to this. In my experience so much of life is just persist, persist, persist… breakthroughs will occur when we are sincerely seeking.
Thank you Rob that means a lot. We never know what we can accomplish until we don’t give up and then all manner of victories and joys can be found. I wish these for you my friend.
Great post John… Like you I have been to the lowest of low, admittedly I didn’t get that low that I contemplated suicide, but at the time I was only one small step away. At that point, with the help of some very close friends I came to the realisation that yes it was time to end my life, but not in the sense that I was going to snuff out my physical existence but in the sense that I was going to end my old life. So I threw out everything that I didn’t need or want, both physically and emotional, and started on moulding the new life that I was going to be ‘reborn’ into. This was the turning point for me, and from that moment I reinvented myself and was reborn into the life that I wanted, doing what I want to do. The 8 reasons that you have shared were all part of that process, and today they still hold relevance for me. Even though now I am the new, stronger person that I want to be, there are still challenging times but now when they arrive, any one or more of those 8 reasons carry me on and remind me that I now live the life the that I want… and for that I’m so grateful. Thanks for the reminder my friend.
Chris, well done you should be proud of yourself. You have shown that when the darkness falls it only takes a small light to illuminate the way and that light was your own spirit. One ending can be a true beginning. Thank you so very much for sharing your story. May your path be clear and your steps true my good friend.
I think this will provide real help to many people. I have also been at a severely low point, I think sometimes we really need to hit rock bottom, before we can start to come up again. Just when we think we can’t go on any longer, hold on for a moment more and the tide will start to turn, it may be slow, but it will turn.
Kate I think your comments are just as inspiring and helpful. My thanks for your openess to share which will really give others a lift knowing that not giving up will prove worth it. You have walked the walk so you can talk the encouraging talk.
This is a beautiful post and a beautiful blog. You’ve gotten to the core of it. I came by expecting some trite comments on persistence, but I’ve been hit with one of those rare waves of inspiration that comes every so rarely.
This is what true optimism is- right here, clear and cogent as day. Thanks for reminding me.
Travis, thank you man. I hope this story helps someone somewhere not suffer in silence anymore and believe they can live. Appreciate your warm words.
Hi John! I’m so sorry for what you went through. I commend you on your courage to share such intimate details. I extremely excited to see that you came out the other side with glowing colors. The bigger the obstacle, the bigger the triumph.
Thanks for eight beautiful reasons for not giving up. The sun will always shine. It’s up to us to see it shining instead of giving up.
Your words are inspirational and touching! Loving blessings!
Thank you Andrea for these lovely sentiments. We all go through trying times and I just wanted to say that it’s Ok and that we can start again and be happy. Your words made me happy so it’s all been worth it in the end.
John: I wish giving up wasn’t an option for us. It’s amazing, we are created with free-choice, but when we choose against the direction we’re supposed to go – we can’t win. The same thing is true for giving up. If one gives up, they may never meet their potential. You have to continue digging to find the gold. Now, once reach water – you should move on to the next spot.
For me, there’s a point when you must move on…but there’s never a point that you must give up. The difference is as simple as applying your self totally, and if results don’t equate after continued effort – then intellect yells – “move on fool, go win be successful somewhere else!”. At least that’s how my intellect yells at me!
I think when we are confronted by challenging situations, we’d rather through in the towel ourselves than suffer the humility of having the towel thrown in for us. This can be a heavy obstacle for many to overcome. Personally, I identify things that drive me. I’m truly self motivated so me saying a simple phrase to myself such as: “if he/she can do it, then I surely can”, can give me the steam to push forward.
You put together a great article on reasons to never give up. Prior to reading these, my answer to people who asked me: “why don’t you ever give”, was simply: “because I never give up”. Your article has enlightened me on the reasons that I don’t give up, and expounded upon reasons why I shouldn’t…that I didn’t consider prior. Thank you!
Peace.
Jk superb observations my friend. Throwing in the towel is easy when we feel beaten but it’s stronger to fight back but harder and more challenging to. But I wanted to show that it can be done and if one person can others can too. And, more importantly as the post shows, there are many reasons and benefits to making that effort to live and win again. Your words show strength of purpose and give a good energy so a great example of what feeling good is like when people get there. Here’s to you for sharing Jk!!
Hi John great post my friend , i once many years ago now reached the Abyss of near suicide and to be honest like so many rough times i have been through i am glad i went there but even more happy i was able to get through it , peace and light fro the wee tin can
Hi Andy a real simple person for sure (see my interview with Andy in May). You make a great point that those who have gone through such a tough ordeal raise: the experience was hard but some time later they were glad they had to deal with it. We all are more than we realise and have more inner strength than we conciously know until we have to find it. Blessings to the wee tin can.
John what a great post and a great message. I think it is really great that you are sharing this story and allowing to learn from the insights and wisdom you had that allowed you to keep going and push forward. I really appreciated what you said about life being a test. It really is so true and once we realize that the things that come to us are meant to change us and help us evolve and grow, we really are able to live in the greatest way. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. Great post.
Hi Sibyl, it was a difficult phase of life for me for sure but these tests can be the making of us and that certainly has been the result for me. When we are doing well though we often forget that someone somewhere could be in the midst of it so any chance we get to put something back, to help and encourage others, really makes for a better world. Like your blog does so good on you for words that heal and help.
John,
I can’t even fully imagine what you went through…and yet…I also know that I’ve had moments that have been challenging…and I want to give up. And when I have chosen not to, even when it’s seemed like it’s not going to work out – I look back now and see that these moments were just that – moments in time in my life. And they have passed. And…from some of them – wonderful things have happened.
Great list of reasons on not giving up!!
Hi Lance, welcome indeed. You are clearly a survivor who has not given up so very well done. You make a fantastic point – that tougher moments do pass and knowing that gives strength to endure and come out the other side. Your contribution has been highly valuable and reminded me that, even today when things don’t look great, it will pass to be replaced by more positive experiences. Thank you my friend. Be well.
John, your words are timeless and ever necessary. Although I choose to live on the lighter side and not pay attention to the current devastations, I do know that countless people are intensely challenged by life these days. With job losses and homes being foreclosed financial stress is breaking apart marriages and families and the future looks really grim to many, many people. When we think we’ve hit rock bottom and things continue to get even worse it’s hard to hold on to hope and faith. You words offer a shining light and strength to continue on. Sometimes I wish life were gentler, but it is through these dark moments that we go through the fire and return to life with a new appreciation, stronger faith and renewed spirit.
There are many, many people on the verge of ending life, I truly hope your words find them.
Aileen, you always bring a breath of fresh air and this is no exception. I echo how hard it is out in the world today and if any words can give them solace and lift them up to hang on and win through then we should share them wherever they came from. You too are a light switched on and the more we have the more the route away from darkness will be illuminated. I pray that all wonderful blogs find those in need. My true blessings for your beautiful sentiments and for being you.
I was going to end my life today. After 2 years of trying to change my life and become the person I want to be I was ready to give up. OF course deep down I would have never done it… but reading this post made me stronger. This time I will succeed. Thank you <3
Hannah, I know what it’s like to feel the way you do but I also know that you have turned your life around. Your determintaion and desire to find you true self and to be happy as that person means you WILL succeed – you already are by sharing your thoughts here and refusing to give up! You are a special human who deserves good times and has so much to offer this world – we need you around and I one day want to hear about all the great adventures and happy encounters you have had. Hannah you are a winner and I’m so proud of you.