FINISHING

It's not how you start, its how you finish.

I have heard that quote said many times over the past couple of months. We've had a rough year. We have had a very abnormal year. Sub-par, you could say. Overall, just a lot of unexpected loss's and frustration. Definitely not for lack of talent. It's been one of those things that you just can't put your finger on.
Up until last week, it was the worst season in program history. But our coach and leader, remained positive. She continued to fight. She forced this team to continue to fight. To continue to push. Even when it didnt feel good. Even when it didnt feel like one thing would go our way, even when they failed, she forced them to fight. After each loss, we woke up the next day, and started again with a new resolve to make it right, a new resolve to fix whatever it was that was holding us back from all we could be. And yesterday, we won the SEC Championship. So, the season continues. But for all of these girls, this might be the most memorable championship they will ever win. Because no one thought they could do it...because there was so much adversity to fight through and many experienced failures. It didnt come easy...those things worth having never do. The conference season began with 2 losses, had a few more losses thrown in there, but ended in a championship...its not how you start...we finished with the trophy.

I believe this holds true for life as well. So many times we start things, with the best of intentions. Maybe its a new fitness plan or a career goal or even a new or renewed relationship with Christ. Whatever it is, we start and we think that it will go well, because thats how we plan it in our heads. We make plans for it to be easy and go well without considering that it may be hard-it may be very hard. So, when it does get hard...when our workouts in our new "get-fit plan" get harder, or its day 5 of working out and we are tired, we so readily make excuses...create new reasons why we cant follow through. When our relationship with Christ causes us to make decisions that others may not understand, or choices that leave us out of what is "cool" to do...we figure out a way to excuse ourselves and we turn our backs on Him. And what humans tend to do, after they resolve to do something, then fail at that thing, is they tend to beat themselves up...think they weren't made for that, and quit. Because quitting is easier than admitting mistakes, picking up the pieces, and starting again. People quit on themselves so much. And once you quit once, it becomes easier to quit the next time.

So, my challenge is this...don't quit. No matter what it is-dont quit. Realize that its not easy. Know that you arent perfect and that there will be setbacks. There will be times when you feel like a failure and you want to stop...but thats the exact time that you need to fight and push on. If you fail one day, the good news is, God will give you another day. What do you want to do with your life? What are you passionate about? What are your dreams and your goals?? What do you want to improve about yourself?? Whatever it is, make a decision to see it through-to not give up on yourself even when it gets hard and even when you fail. Dont expect failure, but when failure comes, be more eager to push forward again than reconciled to make an excuse and quit. Don't allow losses or temporary setbacks to stop you from being all that you can be. Always remember, that it is not how you start...its starting and continuing despite setbacks...to the finish. Its not about what you say you are going to do, its about WHAT YOU DO!! Dont be a person of words-be one of action. Words are meaningless. Challenge yourself every day, and NEVER quit on anything!!!

Sometimes the hardest things in life, become the most rewarding.