I don’t give up on the important things.

/ moragnoffke

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

Have you ever been sailing on a yacht, the sails billowing and harnessing the wind; wind buffeting the sails and groaning or whistling over the sheets (ropes for anyone who doesn’t know what sheets are); spray flying at you as the bough crashes over the waves; the shouts of the skipper warning that “we are turning about, be careful of the boom“? Often he was shouting in German which we didn’t understand but we managed. It is very exhilarating but sometimes I found myself hanging on for dear life, “Don’t let go, your life might depends on it” I told myself. That to me is a picture of not giving up on the important things of the moment. Not giving up on the important stuff in my life. 

I don't give up 
on the important things 
in my life, 
although I am able 
to give up on the froth 
and bubble. 
I have learned 
where I want 
to expend my energy.
That's one of the traits 
I value most about myself.

I really had to think about this question. At first I thought I wouldn’t answer it. 30 years ago I didn’t value anything about myself. I have had to learn to appreciate myself over time. Now I can look at myself in the mirror and actually like the person looking back at me. I say to myself “I’d quite like being that person” and then I laugh at myself in jest and say “oh that’s me. ” I do this because I use to look at others and wish I was like them. Now I am content.

Although there are many qualities I like about myself I realized I am a survivor and I don’t give up. That is one trait I really value. I am a survivor of neglect, trauma and of parental alcoholism, and so I value my chosen family, marriage, health and relationships as they are important to me. I don’t give these up easily.

I have taken my role as a mother seriously; even although as the children were growing up, at times I felt broken by defeat I rose up and searched for answers and solutions. In my roles as mother, daughter and wife I found my voice and learnt to speak up. It wasn’t easy at first because no-one was used to me speaking up. I grew in courage and boldness, I grew into a woman expressing myself verbally from the shadows of a woman that felt totally mute at times. I faced breast cancer and double mastectomy; I traveled with my husband into Africa on an unfamiliar journey to support our relationship; and I faced my anxieties (which I experience regularly) in order to live a rich and diverse life.

Smaller interests like projects, hobbies, housework, and studying different topics are mere froth and bubbles on the cappuccino or icing on the cake. They add to life but I can let them come and go to make way for the important stuff. That’s one of the traits I value most about myself.

How about you? what do you value about yourself?
Take care, a warm smile coming your way.

Cheers
Morag

24 thoughts on “I don’t give up on the important things.”

  2. Not to give up in the most important things, is very important, most of all for my own way of inner life.
    But when I follows the inspiration of my heart, I follows at the same time the WILL of GOD.
    And after this Impuls of my heart to do the best with my hands, ist necessary, too.

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  3. Well…never give up man I like what you did here ” I’d quite like being that person” and then I laugh at myself in jest and say “oh that’s me. ” in tough times you still got time to smile and laugh “oh that’s you”

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  4. What an inspiring post. And what a wonderful life you have led. It can be really hard to overcome such a difficult start in life. I sometimes wonder where the tenacity comes from! I’m so glad you took all those “risky” steps, and that you found your voice. I would say that being a mother forced me to find my voice as well. It’s interesting how we can find that voice for a child we love and care for, even when we have found it hard to find that voice for ourselves.

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    • Thank you, I have had a wonderful life! It’s true the tenacity is amazing and quite baffling how it works. I sometimes wonder if it is fluke but I am grateful for all the factors, the support and also pleased that I took the risks to find my voice. It is amazing how we can dig deep within ourselves to serve and care for family… It’s what challenged me to do it for myself as well, finding that self care. Thank you for your continued support. 🙏🙋‍♀️💜

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      • Beautiful. I love reading stories like yours, Morag. It reminds us that we are more powerful than we have been told, and that we can have a wonderful life if we will have the courage to take one step, and then another 🙂

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  6. It was a happy reading. The way you have expressed yourself is admirable. As a person, you are an ideal. Loving yourself is always desirable before loving others, as charity begins at home.

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  7. Thanks for asking, Morag. I’ve always thought I don’t give up on important things but I’ve wanted to give up and go to God on a number of occasions, due to excrutiating pain (physical) among other very difficult stresses. What I value about myself is my loyalty to truth and what is right. That I will never compromise on, by the Grace of God.

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    • Thank you for sharing experience. Pain is hard to bare, wakes you up, keeps you awake, stealing hours, leaving you void of energy. I am sorry to hear that you suffer with excruciating pain. Your loyalty to truth and what is right is very valuable, something to be proud of. May God’s grace be with you.

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