Do you ever just want to quit? I do. Sometimes I just wanna take every plan & strategy along with all my hopes and dreams, package them in a box and burn them Oh yea, I totally go there: tears, despair and defeat make for quite the pity party. But somehow, after the madness, I manage to pull myself together and face my two choices head on: get up and live or lay down and die.

There is something about that moment when my back is up against the wall and I’m facing this challenging crossroad that requires me to decide to either stay in the game or quit. Quite frankly, either decision could be justified. But the reason I find it so hard to quit is because I don’t accept defeat very easily. I’d rather get my ass whopped across the finish line and claim my prize, than take the concession prize and wonder what would have happened if I would have stayed on the course.

I think it’s safe to say that the decision to quit often has a partner that catches up to you later down the road, and she’s called Regret. Boy is she one ruthless b-i-t-c-h! I mean regret will take you on the wildest road of hopelessness, and by the time you return to your home base, you have become devoid of any passion, joy, hope or happiness. Regret will kill you and throw your dreams in the hole with you unless you either make an intentional choice to live authentically or to give her the middle finger and get back to fulfilling your purpose.

“What say you? Get up and live or lay down and die. DECIDE NOW!”

I hear that phrase repeatedly in my head over and over as I try to visualize the end of the tunnel. I won’t lie, the choice is not always an easy one, no matter how bad I hate to lose. The truth is that the window to tuck my tail and run in the opposite direction of my current challenge can be so tempting depending on how tired or defeated I already feel. This is where my faith gets involved and I find myself leaning more on the power of Christ, than my own ability to see something through. It helps me reach down a little further and gives me the ability to stop being a punk. I find myself getting new ideas and a second wind to get back to work.

The process to win is painful and requires more from me than sometimes I want to give, but it’s ok. I’m willing to do what I must to live with the least amount of regrets possible. Giving up is never an option. I may not win this round, but I’m gonna at least keep my ass in the game.

Latasha