I have had a touch of food poisoning these past two days - well more than a touch - and being sick always reminds me of the fortitude and grace we humans need to handle the very personal journey of living - and dying - well.
We just celebrated my Dad's 84th birthday, a huge milestone in itself given his physical condition. He quotes the famous Bette Davis frequently: "growing old ain't for sissies" and to me he exemplifies the quiet determination needed to just get on with it with few complaints.
In meandering through YouTubes this morning (an endeavor that can fill hours and hours of time as I'm sure you are aware) I came across a short and simple version of the famous poem "Don't Quit." Much as I wanted to know something of the author, anonymous was what surfaced from my search.
How amazing that we have such ability to transcend our identity and make our mark on the human heart!
One thing led to another and I found videos, blogs, short stories and quotes - all inspirational and supportive for hanging on (even if, as in my case, it's to the rim of the bowl and the knowledge that "this too shall pass...")
When you're looking for a moment of inspiration...when you feel let down or laid low...I invite you to indulge in your own search. Start by keying Bette's quote into your search engine, or begin with a YouTube link to the poem below.
Here is the original poem in it's entirety:
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 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 of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Author unknown
Don't Quit
You are sure to find that you are not alone in your challenge, no matter the content, and that there is something wonderful in witnessing the inspiring words that have laid a path before you.
Sharing...ummmm...that's always a good thing.
Namaste
ooooooohhhmmmmmmmmmm
