You become a champion by fighting one more round. When things are tough, you fight one more round. James J. Corbett
never quit
Thick is the Darkness ~ William Ernest Henley
Thick is the darkness—
Sunward, O, sunward!
Rough is the highway—
Onward, still onward!
Dawn harbors surely
East of the shadows.
Facing us somewhere
Spread the sweet meadows.
Upward and forward!
Time will restore us:
Light is above us,
Rest is before us.
William Ernest Henley
Grieving’s Great Lessons
For the past 30 days, I shared excerpts from Dancing Alone: Learning to Live Again. I wrote during the height of grieving not knowing if I’d ever find a way through. It’s now nearly three years since Babe died. I wish grieving on no one; yet, grieving waits for each of us on our journey. It’s not a pleasant thought. I’m happy I didn’t know what it felt like before it happened. As tough as it is, grieving has been a great teacher. Here are 10 lesson I learned on this journey.
- Everyone has scars, don’t compare.
- Everyone who grieves, hurts. Don’t judge anyone.
- It doesn’t matter if you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, or other, it hurts like hell. Anyone who grieves deserves compassion.
- Unpack all the good memories and be grateful for each one.
- Live each day as if it is the only day you have.
- Life isn’t fair, don’t worry about it.
- Life is a wonderful gift, don’t waste it.
- There is no answer to why, so don’t waste time looking for an answer.
- Don’t wait to be loved by others, reach out and connect and keep on connecting.
- Life wins. Love wins. Never quit. Never give up.
There are many other lessons, but these quickly come to mind. I’m grateful for the time Babe and I had together. I’m grateful for the space in which I find myself. I’m going to keep on living, keep on smiling, and keep on singing.
Ordering information for the paperback or ebook version of Dancing Alone: Learning to Live Again may be found at https://optimisticbeacon.com/dancing-alone/
Excerpt From: Dancing Alone: Learning to Live Again by Ray Calabrese. This material is protected by copyright.
Today’s Reflection ~ Achieving the Impossible
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible. ~ Helen Keller
One Fight More ~ by Garrison
Now, think you, Life, I am defeated quite?
More than a single battle shall be mine
Before I yield the sword and give the sign
And turn, a crownless outcast, to the night.
Wounded, and yet unconquered in the fight,
I wait in silence till the day may shine
Once more upon my strength, and all the line
Of your defenses break before my might.
Mine be that warrior’s blood who, stricken sore,
Lies in his quiet chamber till he hears
Afar the clash and clang of arms, and knows
The cause he lived for calls for him once more;
And straightway rises, whole and void of fears,
And armed, turns him singing to his foes.
Excerpt From
It Can Be Done / Poems of Inspiration
This material may be protected by copyright.
Theodosia Garrison
From “The Earth Cry.”
About Living ~ Quote by Guy Clark
Some days you write the song. Some days the song writes you. ~ Guy Clark
Thought for Today ~ Seneca
Difficulties strengthen the mind, as does labor the body.” ~ Seneca
Never Quit – Inspiring Quote from William Alger
“After every storm the sun will smile; for every problem there is a solution, and the soul’s indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.”
—William R. Alger
Never Quit ~ Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.” – Abraham Lincoln
