One of the greatest things life has taught me is that you always have to get up and keep walking on.  This is easier said than done, and people say it so easily and do it half-heartedly all of the time.  People will say "if you get knocked down, get up again, hold your head high, and keep walking on."  But how many people actually do this?

I am telling you all now, if you don't absorb this valuable life lesson into that sponge-like part of your mind where all important knowledge is stored, then you will be sorry.  (I use the sponge metaphor because your mind can absorb and hold so much valuable life knowledge, such as: who to give your heart to, what makes you happy, how to not get hurt... but then all it takes is one wringing squeeze, one that empties your heart of that warm liquid that cushioned it, to leave your mind dried up of any valuable thought energy.)

People give up way too easily. As I write this from my bedroom in my parents' house, I hear my younger sister from the living room singing "I hate chemistryyyyy."  Everyday, as she takes this class that she implies is similar to setting yourself on fire, my sister could easily give up. But she doesn't, because it is important, and if she doesn't complete all of the necessary courses then she won't be able to help people with sports injuries.  And that is her long term goal; a specific ending to a long and hard struggle, that she won't reach until she trudges through the muck day after day.  And sometimes this muck turns to quick sand, and it feels like you just can't go on, the trials and tribulations are pulling you down, and will soon devour you whole.  You could try to pull your way out, there are branches of opportunity all around you, but whats the point? It would be easier to let go and face a fate of defeat.

But that's stupid, and if you have done that, or are willing to do that, then you are stupid. I don't care how harsh it sounds, do you know what you are giving up? Everything that makes you smile and everything that you consider beautiful.

So whether it's chemistry, heartache, illness, the way your dogs keep tipping over your trash even though you've tried so many times to restrain them, don't give up.  And don't stay down when you get knocked over. And trust me, you'll get knocked over hundreds of times in life.  No, thousands of times. Maybe millions. It doesn't matter.  You always get back up.  Even when quick sand is pulling you down,  whispering in your ear messages of weakness, "you can't do it, hang your head."  When you're down, you get back up, every time, and you keep walking on.  Because the only defeat is your lack of sight on all that's good and true.  Look at all of the beauty. It still shines brighter.  Give it proper attention.