On Giving Up

When do you give up on something (or someone)? Is it some automatic switch programmed into us that signals us to start raising the white flag? Just like how we sometimes get these instant light bulb ideas, it is not planned. You just wake up one day and realize you’re going to stop trying. No reasons to justify the whys. You just feel that it’s the best right thing to do.

People have different thresholds as to how far they can go. As one friend would like to put it, we have our own saturation points. It is where you’ve tried (and tried) until you’ve reached a point where you frankly don’t care anymore with the outcome. You’re just too tired to think about it, even for just a second. And all you want to do is to detach yourself on that something (or someone, or situation-whichever) and give up.

Does it make one an official loser for giving up? Does one deserve a big “L” slapped on his/her forehead for not trying hard enough? How about if the person does not give up and keeps on trying until he/she dies, do we congratulate him/her for being a martyr (or a hero)? It’s a tough question to answer. It’ll probably spark up long debates and bring out more unanswered questions.

In my humble opinion, a person who gave up (but tried his/her very damn best) deserves credit too. I would definitely give an ‘A’ for effort. Situations and people are hard to change. While we can have a hand in influencing the outcome, it is still something that is not entirely within our control. There will always be limitations as to how far we can go. We can put our two cents worth of effort in it but if hanggang dun nalang, then so be it. If you think about it, those who have tried and gave up are actually heroes in their own right. At least they’re brave enough to give up, admit that they can't do it, and come into terms with reality (yes, even if the truth hurts). They accept things for what they are and get on with their lives. Sometimes giving up can actually make life so much easier, don't you think so?