Don’t Quit, by Tatiana – In The Mix #47

September 9, 2010 Tatiana EL-Khouri 11 Comments

This time last year, I would be in disbelief at far I’ve come. 2009 was truly a foundation year for me. Equipped with some of the best mentors out there and people who genuinely cared about me and my well being, I had the tools for success. I was on a search for more fulfillment and challenges in my career and my personal life. As I went through the ups and the downs, I shared much of my angst here with the MDW community.

I’m happy to say that for the first time in about a year, I truly feel content. There were moments when I felt nothing would get me out of the funk I was in. Hell, this time last year I just got back from a trip with the Air Force where I rode in an AC 130 Gunship and photographed training for  paintings I was commissioned to do. My disillusionment of what I considered success clouded the little victories I achieved.

A few weeks ago, I was on my way into a big meeting- a real dream project of sorts for me. I was upbeat and joyful. As I passed a table that I have seen many times, I saw the poem “Don’t Quit.” It took me back to my college days, when I joined my sorority. I learned so much that didn’t make sense then, but has helped me immensely in my career. Much like when I paint, sometimes walking away from the painting and coming back gives me a clear idea of where I need to go. If I quit and threw away the painting, I wouldn’t reach the full potential of the work. I’ve realized while you are very close to a process or a circumstance, you may lose sight of the greater goals or movement.

Don’t Quit
Author Unknown

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your 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 its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors 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 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 your hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit!