Don't Give Up!

"Come what come may, Time and the hour runs through the roughest day." [Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 3, lines 147-148].

In His book called "Daily Swadhyaya", Swami Chidananda says, "I came across a poem 'Don’t Quit!' It says, when you think that you are about to fail, it is only then that help is nearest at hand in a trice. The so-called defeat will immediately become victory. You will come out successful, for grace is always at hand. Therefore, don’t quit. Arise, awake and attain Illumination, become liberated. That is why you are here. Fulfil your divine destiny! Grace is ever at hand'. The following is the poem that Swamiji referred to:

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the founds 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 quite.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When the might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up through he pace seems slow

You may succeed with another blow.

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 never when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

(The author is unknown)

"Never be discouraged. Never think that you cannot make the spiritual grade, no matter how steep it seems at times. One of the most consoling and heartening encouragements Master gave to us was this reminder: 'A saint is a sinner who never gave up.' We should remember it whenever we get discouraged, or feel that we have fallen short of our spiritual goal. The saving grace of the would-be saint is that he never gives up, he always keeps on trying, no matter how many times he falls, no matter how many mistakes he makes." (pg. 211, Only Love by Sri Daya Mata) 

Saint Francis had more troubles than you could imagine, but he didn't give up. One by one, by the power of mind, he overcame those obstacles and became one with the Master of the Universe. Why shouldn't you have that kind of determination? (pg. 11, Where There is Light by Paramahansa Yogananda) 

"When you make up your mind to do or not to do something, never give in---unless you see you are wrong; then, quickly change your mind. Otherwise, don't give up, because weakening of the will takes away your most valuable treasure. Persons you associate with may want you to be like THEM; but it is YOU, not they, who will have to bear the consequences of what you are... So NEVER let anyone weaken your will. Others will test you, but when you have made a resolve, keep your word. Above all, keep your word with YOURSELF..." (pgs. 326-327, The Divine Romance by Paramahansa Yogananda)