Don't Give Up. Don't Ever Give Up.

Last night on ESPN they showed Jimmy V's speech when accepting the Arthur Ashe award at the 1993 Espy's, I have watched this speech at least 30 times and it never gets old to me.  Everything he says in it is so great! He talks about living your life to the fullest; that everyday you should laugh, think and be moved to tears. The 3rd doesn't happen everyday for me, but the speech definitely does it! But what he says at the end gets me the most, he says: "Cancer may have taken over my body, but it cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart and it cannot touch my soul." I like to insert ms in the place of cancer. I try to live where it does not touch anything. However, as a human sometimes it does touch my heart. Sometimes I do get down. I try not to live there and what he says right after reminds me what I should do when it does get me down: "Don't give up, don't EVER give up!" What words! What a reminder. Don't give up! I 2nd that sentiment to all of you. Don't give up! You can get through it, I know at this point you (and I) may feel overwhelmed, scared, alone, trapped... (insert negative emotion here), but it will get better, you can make it through. Now, making it through may not look like you think, Jimmy died soon after his speech, there are some things you can't control, but you know what you can control? Your attitude towards what happens to you. Sure, you can choose to be a negative Nancy and live your life like that. Or you can be Tigger, take whatever happens to you with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. Does this mean stuffing your emotions? No. Be real about whatever is happening, but don't be negative. Know that everything happens for a reason, you may not understand now, but trust that it will all work out. What keeps you motivated to keep going when you want to give up?

Comments

[Kristin]

Great thoughts Ashley, thanks for sharing... speaking of negative Nancy, for a good laugh, check out the old SNL skits for Debbie Downer. Here's a link for one of them: http://www.hulu.com/watch/19280/saturday-night-live-debbie-downer-birthday-party

[Annie Trimmer]

Ok....you did it....brought tears to my eyes....I think that is a wonderful recipe for living every day....laughter, tears, and using your brain :)
Love you....