Be a Better Quitter

Be a Better Quitter

When we were young, we incessantly heard four words from our parents, teachers, grandparents, and respected elders. Those four words were beaten into us with an invisible belt, or a phantom paddle. Do you remember those four words? Of course, you do. Those threatening words are, “don’t be a quitter”. Words that have the power to shame you in an instant. One phrase that will abruptly halt a pocket-sized thought of giving up. I am wondering, though, in my adult life, why aren’t we quitting more often? Now, I am not suggesting that a student quit a sport team or implying that you quit a job simply because you don’t “like” it. I am a believer in an individual finishing what they have started. I am talking about more important matters that affect us in such big proportions that we can’t afford to ignore them any longer.  Maybe we should talk about painful things that are far too often kept a secret from others as a form of self-preservation. How many of us are self-medicating in the form of overeating, drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs? We need to quit. Raise your hand if you are constantly criticizing yourself, whether that be in front of others or simply talking to yourself in the mirror? It’s time to throw in the towel on poor self-esteem. Who of us are surrounding ourselves with a toxic individual only because we are perpetually drowning in guilt and judgement? Believe it or not, you should quit.  It is more than okay to terminate this behavior regardless of the judgement at hand.  How many of us are petty and judicious of others for an array of reasons? Are we jealous? It’s time to abort mission.  Do you find yourself blaming others for your problems instead of taking responsibility for your own life and your own happiness? Cease this behavior. Are you too busy for your family? Then quit something and MAKE time.  As I write this, I know that each of us, can place a checkmark beside at least two of these bad habits, if not all of them. It’s time for each of us to learn how to quit. If we can become better quitters, we can become content. Sometimes quitting is the answer, and although my grandfather would have never uttered those words, I bet he would agree.

Kristen Hamilton