Don't ever give up!
There are too many people who fall short of their goals when the trials in life get tough. The real measure of a soul comes from the strength that is created within the darkest hours.
Stay committed and ride the storm, pick up the pieces to rebuild a stronger foundation... because there will be another storm.
Conflict, trials and tribulation can be unbearable at times and it may appear easier to throw in the towel, but that is not the answer. "I believe things happen in this life to show us who we are, what we need to learn and who we are to become." Quitters are never winners and winners never quit; especially at the expense of others.
Our creator has given us a lifetime to prove the worth of our soul, our integrity and the strength of our commitment. We need to use this time wisely and when the going gets tough, stick with the integrity of commitment! Many times we find ourselves at the crossroads and perhaps it seems easier to give up, than to bare the burden. I am grateful that the Savior didn't fall short of His commitments or take a detour. We'd be SOL (sure out of luck) and its wonderful to coexist with dependable people who follow through on their words, actions and deeds.
Life is full of quitters. They alway like to run the race, but they never cross the finish line. There are many who fall short of their goals because the terrain changes or they have personal weakness which allow them to drift into the wrong lane. I have found that nothing in this life worth having comes easy. The definition of easy is: achieved without effort and in life, that is nothing to be proud of!
Trials assist us in building character, they give us wisdom and allow us to develop the courage and strength to progress. There is a long list of the "great ones," throughout the history of this world, who's lives were built upon opposition: Jesus the Christ, Apostle Paul, Moses, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama are naming just a few. They each gave individual sacrifices and some beyond that of comprehension, but all remained true to their commitments.
This is my rendition of an old english tale and a poignant reminder of the importance of struggle and commitment. A little boy found a cocoon that was spun around the end of a branch. He took it home, placed it in a jar and waited with anticipation to see the beginning of new life. As each day passed, the little cocoon remain still; with no signs of movement.
Within the dark walls of this cocoon, this tiny phenomena of nature, clearly understood the purpose of its creation. No longer would it drag it's belly upon the dirt, rather it would fly into the great unknown, and fulfill the purpose for which it was created. Instinctively, it began fighting for this wonderful existence. In a relentless desire to break free from the surrounding darkness; its wings repeatedly battled with the inside of the cocoon. Each flutter was a significant attempt to break away the spun fibers. The very opposition that was holding the butterfly back, would give it the strength needed to fly for the rest of its life!
The young boy watched with deep concerns as the cocoon vibrated back and forth. He feared that the butterfly would die trying to free itself from bondage, so he opened a hole at the bottom of the cocoon. Without struggle, the butterfly slid out of the opening, but it didn't fly away as creation had intended. As a matter of fact, it couldn't fly at all and it struggled for its own existence. This beautiful butterfly would never become the full measure of its creation, because the opportunity to build strength for a solid existence had been eliminated.
The strength needed for flight would have eventually come through the many efforts of trying, again and again to overcome the opposing forces. The butterfly would have eventually broken the chains of darkness and set itself free! The untimely death of this beautiful creature resulted from a life made easy! I am convinced, without the trials of life, there is no successful way to determine the worth or abilities of a single soul.
There are many people who give up just short of their goals and perhaps not even realizing what's at stake, until it's too late. There are parents who give up on their children and children who are left behind by the ravages of inadequate parenting.
Once one decides that giving up is not an option, they never have to make that decision again and success is always forthcoming. Much like the little butterfly, through an inherent desire to overcome the odds, flight is inevitable! By, Linda Sumner Urza, One fine day.
