Words of a Wise Man

My whole life has been a series of my parents telling me not to ever give up. I couldn't tell you the first time I heard it, but I can tell you that one of the furthest memories of hearing it, was at a baseball game. I remember that my dad had put together a team of misfits, that didn't stand out to be on the "best team" in the city. I was down and out because one of the kids on the "best team" kinda broke the news to me that I sucked. I remember riding my bike home and my dad coming home from work, he worked way too much, to me crying on the front porch. He asked what was the matter and I explained.

He grabbed me by the hand and took me to the side lawn with a bat and a ball on the string. He and I sat out there for a couple hours hitting. Once it got dark he said, "Mel, people are going to say the damnedest things to tear you down. You either accept that their right, or prove them wrong. You're a Florence, we do not quit, ever." My dad was a quiet man, so you can just imagine that when he has something to say, its going to be worth his time to break the silence to tell ya some real truth. 

Yup, years have passed and stories created where I "had to" prove people wrong, and not give up. I could tell you story after story, but that wouldn't be my point. My point is that people give up too easily. You get fired from your job, find a new one. You don't want to go to school, cool find something you want to do! You don't have a significant other, perfect, more time for you to prove that you're the best damn thing someone doesn't have. 

Life isn't fair, not at all. But ya know what you do with that, play with the cards you've been delt and be the best damn player of the game you can be. There's so many things that you get thrown your way that will drag you down into the dirt. Or as I like to say, "Shit just piles up at your front door." Sometimes you know not to step on that brown bag, other times you forget and step on it anyways. Here's what you do, you can either pick up the bag, or clean off your shoe. Its simple. You however, are allowed to get down and out about all this crap. You are allowed to ask "why?" You are entitled to get emotional when life just gets too hard to handle. But you don't quit. You don't sit down and give up on everyone and everything. 

There are people out there rooting for you! There is so much depending on you to continue forward. Sorry, it seems like a lot of pressure, I'm not going to sugar coat it, it really is. I've cried plenty, I've felt like nothing in this world could go right. I've seen the good, and I've seen the bad. I'm just saying that the easiest thing to do is to quit. But you can't. I'm saying that people are allowed to have bad days, weeks, shit however long it takes for you to get back at it at 100% take your time, however long you need. 

Just know that everyone has those days. Don't expect someone to always be 100% but know that even if they are below 100% its them not giving up. It's like being on the final level of Mortal Combat and Shao Kahn has delivered you a blow where your life bar is flashing. Do you hit pause and turn off the console? Do you chuck your controller at the TV and pray it doesn't break your dad's brand new TV? Or do you hit him with a Combo that gives you enough time to build up your health? Yeah, the last one is the right answer. Sometimes when you're so far down and you think you can't do it, ya just need some time. 

There's never enough time. But all you need is a little time. I usually plan my week around me taking off to the hills every Wednesday because I need some serenity and alone time. Just so that I can come back to reality and kick some ass and not give up. I know, I know, its so much easier said than done. That's where you're wrong Bobby. Everyday, you have the opportunity to give up on something or to keep pushing forward. Its right when your feet hit that ground. Its that simple. You're loved, someone is always watching. People are always rooting for you. Don't Ever Quit, even if you're not a Florence ;)