Keep a'-Goin'

"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me? " 
  ~Ayn Rand

I only recently discovered this quote even though it's been around for a long time. When I did a brief internet search, I found that many people have written comments about their reactions to it. I, too, found it to be very thought-provoking, and rather inspiring, as I considered the perspective it offers. 

Those who have gone before me have already discussed the idea that often the answer to the "who is going to stop me?" part can very likely be, "me" -- that we can be our own worst enemy in this regard.

I've realized though that I don't really think so much about whether or not someone will let me do something, nor am I too daunted by obstacles that might prevent me from moving forward. My struggle is simply trying not to stop -- in other words, to keep going.

We can get so weary at times traveling along the roads we choose for ourselves, and it is part of the human condition to want to stop: to cease an activity, to put an end to an action, to discontinue. 92 years ago, a gentleman named Frank Stanton wrote a poem entitled "Keep A-Goin." He was a Georgia boy and had his own way of urging his reader to sing when you feel like sighing and keep a'goin' (if you've ever seen an old Dick Van Dyke show with guest star Henry Gibson, you've already heard the first stanza of this poem).

The truth is the absolute sure-fired way we will not reach what we hope for is to stop -- to abandon our desires and give up -- to stop moving forward, stop taking action. The good news is that it is also true the decision whether or not to stop is completely up to us. 

I've been dealing with some health issues this week and have been finding it particularly difficult to resist stopping on so many levels. I kept thinking about this post though, and of how much I do want to cultivate this in my own life. 

So I'm going to join the ranks now and say, not only to you but to myself as well: 
Don't Give Up.

Don't give up on trying to be the person you know you want to be.
Don't stop being the mother you want to be, or the spouse, or brother, or friend.
Don't stop working for the family you want to have, or the business, or the ministry.
Don't stop pursuing what you know is the right thing to do.

Remember 100% of the decision to continue is yours -- yours alone -- and whatever efforts you make will bear fruit in due season, if you'll just keep a'-goin'.

Cheering you on!
Kay
www.confidentconflict.com