Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!

This is the first stanza of the poem Don’t Quit by Edgar A. Guest.

There is so much packed into these six simple lines that can provide us with inspiration, serenity and acceptance. In the next few posts I am going to provide my interpretation and experience of these powerful and uplifting lines which have so often brought me peace and comfort during some of the most difficult times in my life.

In the first line: When things go wrong as they sometimes will – we learn that no matter who we are or what our life situation is, we are bound to meet with obstacles and setbacks. Things do “go wrong” from time to time, but who’s to say which of those “wrong” times are actually leading to our greatest learning and greatest good?

I have experienced so many things in life which have seemed to “go wrong” but which, when I look back carefully, I can see very clearly how they ended up being incredible gifts of growth, blessings and abundance.

Always remember when you’re having a hard time or you are surprised by something which seems to have come out of left field and knocked you over that there is very likely to be an incredible blessing somewhere in the experience for you. Take a breath and wait to see where life leads you.

Learning to minimise the anguish that we feel along the way to discover what something means for our lives is a real and valuable skill to hone.

If you want to explore this concept further you might want to think back to events in your own life which seemed to have gone “wrong” and see if you can see what hidden blessings they ended up providing you with. This will help you develop a level of comfort and assurance that you are looked after and you don’t have to worry too much about things going “wrong”.