Don't Quit

My dad was a hard-working traveling salesman who was on the road every week, Monday through Friday. I recall him sharing this poem.

This is for whoever needs it today, and that includes me. Read it out loud to yourself.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

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,

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.

For all the sad words of tongue or pen

The saddest are these: “It might have been!”

JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER (1807-1892)

For this sentiment to be part of my dad's legacy to me is remarkable, and I'm just now recognizing it and feeling the gratitude of it. Dad struggled with mental illness, but he kept trying; he was a good role model in that regard. Bless his heart, and may God rest his soul.

I'm sending you prayers for goodness and light...lighting the way.