Imagine that you’re training for a long distance run such as a marathon. You may start by running just a couple of miles, give or take. Then you’d probably run a little farther the next week. You’d run farther and farther and maybe even a little faster too until you start feel a little confidence in your ability to complete the race.
Now, what happens after you cross the finish line? You gave it all you’ve got, you pushed yourself, you’ve met or even exceeded your goal. You’ve proved to yourself that you were capable of doing something you’ve never thought you could do before.
Was this enough of an accomplishment for you? Are you now able to look back and be proud of how you handled yourself during the race, or are you still running?
Imagine, the last few runners are crossing the line, the vendors are starting to pack up, night begins to fall, yet you are still running. You run through downpours and thunderstorms, through mud and thickets of thorny vines, cutting up your legs. You’re beyond fatigued. Your ankles are swollen, your legs start to feel numb, and each step is met with a surge of searing pain.
Then finally, you come to a point where you ask yourself,
“Why am I still running?”
Are you like the athlete who trains for hours, seven days a week, never taking a rest day?
Or are you like the college student who studies for exams all week long with very little to no sleep nor proper nutrition?
At what point are you doing more harm than good?
Though a fighting spirit who never quits and pushes themselves to the very depths of human performance may be admirable, we must realize (as with everything in life) that balance is key.
We’re so afraid to be thought of as quitters. Of course we shouldn’t be quick to quit something as soon as things get challenging – no – but we should be honest with ourselves and sense when we should stay and ride the storm, or move on so that something better can enter our lives.