{"id":334,"date":"2013-11-01T07:55:00","date_gmt":"2013-11-01T07:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.epicliving.com\/epic\/the-giving-up-thing\/"},"modified":"2013-11-01T12:59:48","modified_gmt":"2013-11-01T12:59:48","slug":"the-giving-up-thing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epicliving.com\/epic\/the-giving-up-thing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Giving Up Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Giving<\/a><\/p>\n

Wrote this back in 2011. I was in the garden this past week and it dawned on me how I’ve been to this place and back, and back again. Hope you get some inspiration here. Cheers!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Picture this, you’re moving through life wondering where you fit in.\u00a0 You’ve played many roles.\u00a0 You’ve tried finding happiness in what everyone says you should be happy with.\u00a0 But, alas, you’re still looking.\u00a0 Every day you’re looking and the “giving up thing” rears its head (ugly or beautiful).<\/p>\n

This is tough and lonely work.<\/p>\n

If we’re honest, we’d admit that the purpose\/mission has at one time or another whispered to us.\u00a0 Trouble is we’re not a very honest culture.\u00a0 The art of lying to oneself is very much the norm.\u00a0 And so it goes, the whisper.\u00a0 The proverbial, “this is what makes me come alive” or “I belong in this space.”\u00a0 Do you listen or try to ignore?\u00a0\u00a0So now you know.\u00a0 It’s calling you and maybe you’re one of the few that listens.\u00a0 Your first step out into the great unknown is a dip (thank you Seth Godin<\/a>).\u00a0 Maybe it’s skepticism, maybe it’s envy or maybe it’s flat out fear on your part.\u00a0 Before long you\u00a0begin to wonder what you’ve done and is it too late to turn back.\u00a0 Turning back always has your number on speed-dial.<\/p>\n

There is a reason Cortez burned the ships in the harbour.<\/p>\n

Let me be clear, sometimes you should give up.\u00a0 I think we know when that is.\u00a0 The time to give up is not <\/strong>when you’re being refined by the crucible of exhaustion and doubt.\u00a0 And believe me, that’s when many do give up.\u00a0 I’ve always believed that no one can truly play a part in changing the world until they have felt pain and loss.\u00a0 By the way, that’s what everyone else has experienced.\u00a0 And is experiencing in some way.\u00a0 The audience is looking for someone who is unwavering in integrity and has a passion to solve the problems.<\/p>\n

Here are some\u00a0observations on combating the desire to\u00a0give up\u00a0when you shouldn’t:<\/p>\n