There are times when life won’t allow us to follow our chosen course. We keep pushing toward what we think we want, but one obstacle after another continues to block our way. We ask ourselves, ‘Shall I give up…or should I keep trying?’ After endlessly complaining about our dilemma, and asking the people we trust for their advice, we go on debating within ourselves—still unsure whether or not to give up a losing battle.
For many people, the notion of giving up signifies surrender and failure. For others, pulling back and considering other options seems both smart and logical. Is it possible that giving up is sometimes the wisest course of action?
Very often those who are unhappy in their lives—who may be suffering in abusive relationships or stressed out with endless projects or miserable in an unsatisfying work situation—still feel the need to stay the course. They continue pushing in the direction that has always brought them misery and unhappiness, yet gets them no closer to the life they yearn for. The changes they desire fail to come about, while their dissatisfaction intensifies.
If you identify with this scenario, perhaps it is time for you to consider the option of giving up. What I’m talking about has nothing to do with failure; rather, I am suggesting that when we feel stuck in an unhappy or unproductive situation, we can give it up in order to consider our options and take an alternate path. There is always the possibility to make changes in our lives by identifying actions we can take that will improve our circumstances and lighten our spirit. But first we need to give up what hasn’t worked for us in the past.
Posts
