The three letters look simple but did you ever find yourself asking the question, what am I doing this for?
My husband and I are going through an emotional and sad time with close family members. It has been ongoing and we tried to reach out a number of times and left messages but the last attempt was not met with voicemail but a disconnected telephone number. I asked my husband what am I doing this for? I Quit!!!
I work out every day, I eat as healthy as I can, take vitamins and work hard at my health as I had elevated cholesterol last year and I was determined to lower it. I returned from my yearly physical this year to hear my cholesterol is higher (255) and my sugar went up (102)! I was so frustrated and started ranting and raving that from now on I am eating cake, icecream and
whipped cream. I quit!! What am I doing this for?
My doctor had the perfect answer, just think what it would have been if you didn’t work so hard. Eating well and working out was still helping my health. She reminded me that I was focusing on the negative results but not the entire picture. She encouraged me to not quit or get discouraged. Do it FOR you!!! For now her prescription is to continue healthy eating and working out, stay enthusiastic and no matter what, keep laughing because that is the best medicine in the world.
In terms of the disconnected phone number her advice was step away for a while. Things become clearer with time. She reminded me that I expect perfection and immediate results. Life is not that way. She reminded me life gets discouraging and pain exists with most people at one time or another in every stage of life. Her prescription was to think about myself and to not be stressed over this. How do I do that?
The answer was go out, have fun, avoid situations that remind you of the pain. You would not take a diabetic to the donut shop. The same is true for you. Try new things, go to places you have not been. Keep looking FORward to things.
When I am upset I read inspiration and when I got done speaking with the doctor I opened a favorite book to the poem I include below. It made me realize I do not really want to quit.
I am very passionate about my health. I also know life is fragile and I hate arguments and feel so frustrated when I cannot fix things but the doctor is correct. My days are flying by and
the years are passing quickly. I cannot quit FOR me!!
I will continue to move FORward with life. I will remind myself I cannot FORce things to go the way I want them to. I can FORgive and continue to work a little harder, be a little kinder and be more patient but most importantly Forever I will never give up hope.
If you are discouraged about health, fitness, relationships, financial issues, or anything else I hope the words below encourages and comforts you too!
Don’t Quit (Author Unknown)
When things go wrong as they sometimes will.
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.
When funds 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 quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns.
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out:
Don’t give up though the 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 near when it seems so far:
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seems worst that you must not quit.