Never Give Up

Limitation are often in the mind. For many years there was a 500-pound barrier in weightlifting and in running the four-minute mile but after Vasily Alekseyev broke the 500 barriers and Bannister the 4-minute mile others shortly followed. Each limit themselves in what they can do until someone goes beyond the expectations and we have another limit.
 
In a diocesan bulletin, the writer shows the readers how often we limit ourselves to what we determine. He continues with the motivational myth about the eagle's lifespan. With determination when the eagle's beak becomes bent and the talons can no longer grab the prey the eagle goes to the mountains, breaks its beak and plucks out its talons and feathers and after a few months is born again as a new eagle going on for another 30 years. We are all familiar with similar stories to motivate us, some true and some mere myths but they do motivate many.
 
Many things are needed to ascend from one plateau of achievement to another. Often this requires effort and a new way of thinking. The challenge and adventure required to overcome the present security and comfortableness is just too much.

Water boils at 100 degrees usually and one degree less will not do it. In life, there are many times that we will not make the extra effort to achieve our goal. This is both true in our daily life both in physical and spiritual matters.
 
In life, challenges and the joy of making a certain goal is more often met with frustration and giving up. Having few expectations is often the easiest way. 

As we get older throughout the whole body we hear sounds of revolt; our heads are filled with worries and the future looks bleak. Exercise is limited, the muscular strength is weak and we give up, become exhausted.

In Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  We have many quotes from the saints and from the past that show us that giving up is not what a disciple of Jesus does.
 
"I  plead with you- never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never became discouraged. Be not afraid." St. John Paul II