One value that I have always held close to me throughout my life is, never quit what you started. Ever since I was a little kid, my parents, always told me that whatever you start you need to finish. I believe that this value is important to me and many others because without it where would anyone be?
Growing up I played every sport, every year. Some of them I absolutely dreaded. I would go from summer camp or school, straight to practice with little or no break in between. After long grueling days in the sun, I would be miserable coming home. All I wanted to do sometimes was just give up and enjoy my free time.
I told my parents I didn’t want to continue the season anymore, but it was met with a stern “that’s too bad, you should’ve thought of that before you started.”
As a child, I hated to hear that. As a young man, I understand why it was said, and appreciate the push.
As I grew older, I narrowed down which sports I wanted to play. I stuck with football and wrestling all through highschool. I still dreaded going to practice after a long day of classes, and I wanted to quit. But still my parents were persistent and never let me quit what I had started. I’m grateful for their push because, in the end, nothing beat the satisfaction of tackling the ball carrier in the backfield under the Friday night lights or hearing the ref smack the wrestling mat as I pin my opponent.
To this day, I still hold the value of not quitting what you started close to me.
College can be a difficult adjustment for some. Every year students fail out, drop out, or are kicked out. Transitioning to a life where I was free to make any decision on my own at any point. A few failed classes later, I wanted to give up, go home take a break and transfer.
Again, I thought of what my parents would want me to do, not give up. Now after months of hard work, and heavy credit load semesters, I will be graduating with a Penn State degree in the spring (fingers crossed).
I know that this value will always be held close to me, as it has gotten me through rough times in my life where I just wanted to give up.