Don't Quit

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1.2K followers

Out of all of the lessons that my parents taught me as I was growing up, probably the one that I feel I have benefited the most from is "Don't Quit!"

I grew up in a small rural town in South Dakota, about 60 miles away from where I currently live. The population was about 1,200 when I was growing up and my parents had also been raised there, so the community was my home as well as extended family. When life threw hurdles into the pathway of community members, almost everyone jumped in to help out in whatever way they could!

As I entered junior high, so many options were opened for me -- athletics, band, chorus, etc. I decided I wanted to play basketball -- after all, this was about the time that a movement was sweeping the nation to let girls have many of the same activities as boys! So I joined our 7th grade basketball team and quickly discovered that I was not very good at it. I approached my parents and told them I wanted to quit -- and was quickly informed that I had started the activity so I needed to finish out the season! Which I did -- it was not easy, but I did as I was told.

I also started playing in the junior high band and taking lessons to learn how to play the clarinet -- along with about 10 other people on the same instrument. Once again, I quickly discovered that I was not the best clarinet player but I stuck it out in band all the way through high school. I did end up switching to the oboe when I was a freshman, as our band director was looking for someone to do so and I thought it would be interesting.

By the time I was in high school, I had determined that I would not be the "best" at most things but my parents kept encouraging me to try things and to stick with the activities to at least give them a chance. Many times I felt discouraged and was upset with my parents for not letting me quit some things like other parents did. I tried debate, school yearbook, school newspaper, oral interpretation, and other activities in addition to band and chorus. I also was a babysitter who was in high demand as well as working in my father's business outside of school hours.

As I left that small town and started my years at college as well as my years in the working world as an adult, I often would find myself doing things that I was not the best at but my parents words would ring in my ears and I would keep working away at whatever was discouraging me. This was not only true with jobs where I was working, but also in my personal life.

At one point in my life, I was feeling very down and discouraged and a friend shared the following poem with me. It quickly became one of my favorites and I just wanted to share it with everyone:


I am proud of the fact that my parents taught me not to give up and quit! The past 15 to 20 years of my life have posed many different challenges to me, and I truly believe that those words are what have gotten me through those challenges -- those words and the support of many different friends and co-workers!

As you work on your websites and making your dreams come true, always remember the words "Don't quit"! You never know -- the next moment or next day or next week might just bring you the success you are seeking!


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Recent Comments

47

I agree. Quitting is not an option

Absolutely not! LOL

What a wonderful post and it makes so much sense. My father often told me that no matter what you do do it to the best of your ability. So with your advice and his there is no way I can fail.

Happy Friday

There are a bunch of people here that have that mindset! You are in the right place!

Although my parents were not rich, monetarily, they made me wealthy in other ways. One huge thing I was taught by them was to develop a work ethic. That legacy has carried me far, and it is one that I instilled in my son. "No way do you begin something and quit," I was taught.
Thanks for the reminder of who we are and why we have purpose in life. Blessings.

That mindset has gotten me through so many things in life! I am glad to know my parents were not the only ones teaching that lesson!

good post

Thank you!

How amazing, Kristin, that your parents instilled in you that desire to persevere, no matter how hard the task. Many, like myself, didn't learn that until we were adults...and still trying to apply it!

I read that poem for the first time, about 20 + years ago; it's just perfect.

Well, it seems that you and I have something in common: Not only was I also in the concert band, I also played the clarinet! I was in the concert band for junior high and high school and also joined the marching band in high school. Nothing like a green, polyester, jumpsuit to remind you of how cool you're NOT!!! But I did love it! I actually still have my clarinet; I haven't played it in over 20 years, but I refuse to depart with it. I was also given a guitar many years before; I totally sucked, and it was about 10 or more years later that I gave it to a friend of my sister. I still regret it to this day.

Thanks for sharing the wisdom of your parents with us, Kristin. That truly is a priceless memory.

LOL My parents would not buy me an instrument, so when I played clarinet I was using one borrowed from an older cousin. Then when I switched to the oboe, we rented it from the school!

I used the rented ones from the school for about a year or two. My parents gave me my clarinet for Christmas, I think I was in high school. I was actually very good, even performed in front of judges in this program they have in New York: NYSSMA.

I can't seem to read any notes now. But at least I can say there was a time when I played Mozart, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky among others.

By all means don't. Enjoy the rewards of going on!

Most definitely! Especially with the help and encouragement of people like you!

Thank you Kristin!

LOVE This :)
Thank you.

You are welcome! Always happy to share!

Thanks, I won't quit!!!

And if I hear anything about you even thinking about it, I will encourage you not to! LOL

Thank you very much! It feels good to know that you are there, I won't desappoint you.

Great message and I love that poem. Sometimes it's hard not to quit but it's so important to keep going.
It's awesome that you were taught that at a young age and had the support to help you through.
I think that's part of what we're here for as a community, to encourage others to keep going, even when they start to doubt or struggle!

I totally agree with you! That is one of my favorite things about Wealthy Affiliate!

Thanks for that sorry and the encouraging words of never to give up. Thanks for sharing!!!!!

Thank you! Life has taught me in many ways that it does not pay go give up!

Yes you are so right!!!!


Theo

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