The “C” word. Growing up my dad always told me about this word. Commitment. Even when it came to simple things, he would just simply say “the C word” and I would know that I had to follow through with my commitment. While growing up, this was extremely annoying. But now, I admire this lesson and use it in my daily life. (Thanks Dad!)
On the flip side, things change. I grew up in an environment where you didn’t quit your job; you stuck it out and made thing work. But living in Nashville, I’ve had to change my mindset when it comes to quitting jobs. Some jobs are simply for a season, and I have to be okay with that. It could be 4 weeks when I’m home in between road gigs, or it could be 4 months between road gigs. All in all, it’s a provision that is helping me to pay my bills while following my passion of touring, and I am thankful for that.
So how do we know when to quit and when not to quit? This is where things can get tricky. I am all about sticking to your commitment and following through. You never want to be seen as a flake or someone who goes back on their word. But I also don’t think you deserve to be unhappy and miserable. So is there a happy medium? I think this is where it’s important to truly know yourself: your boundaries, your attitude, your stamina, etc. Don’t commit to something if you are dreading it before it even begins. But don’t give up just when things get hard. There will be struggles and trials that we all have to deal with, and we will be better people when those struggles are over. Just because things get difficult, that does not give us the right to quit.
If nothing else, please hear me when I say this: You are strong. You will do amazing things. Life may be tough right now, but you will get through this and you will be stronger for it. Gather around your tribe. Share your struggles with a few close friends. Let people in. Let others carry you, comfort you, and pray for you. Listen to close confidants and ask advice for how to handle the situation you currently find yourself in.
I’ll leave you with this quote from Osayi Emokpae Lasisi, author of Impossible is Stupid:
“Quitting is not giving up, it’s choosing to focus your attention on something more important. Quitting is not losing confidence, it’s realizing that there are more valuable ways you can spend your time. Qutting is not making excuses, it’s learning to be more productive, efficient, and effective instead. Quitting is letting go of things (or people) that are sucking the life out of you so you can do more things that will bring you strength.”
