When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When then 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! (Langston Hughes)
The above words are the opening lines to the poem "Don't Quit" by Langston Hughes one of my favorite poets. When I first read that poem it was in elementary school while I was searching for a poem to read in our school's Poetry Reading Contest. I participated in that contest from the 5th through the 8th grade. The poem enlighten me because even at that age in life, I needed words of encouragement. I needed words that said believe that you can. I needed something that inspired me to believe that no matter my situation, I must not quit!
Today more than ever, in a world of perils, confusion, plights, suffering and general unrest, we need to understand that we were built for such times and that we are stronger than what we may feel. Challenging times are upon us as well as before us. We must stand strong in our resolve.and never give up!!
It is not by chance that our Foundation is branded with "I Will Never Give Up!". To never give up, must be the foundation of your consciousness. It must be the driving force to your success. It must be the essences of your momentum to all things of good will.
Just like I needed those words in my childhood, I have needed them in my adulting. When in difficult situations, I pray and I recite that poem. There will always be storms but the sun does return. You must find your strength to stay the course and navigate the journey.
The closing to that poem is as follows;
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.
It is my hope that when you're HARDEST HIT - Your realize in that moment you must not quit!