The negative connotation to giving up

They say that when you're about to give up, you should remember the reason as to why you've been holding on in the first place. But what if that is the very reason you're letting go and giving up?

Know that giving up is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, it's actually the best thing to do. In life, if we want to hold on to everything, we won't be able to move forward and grow. If we continue to hold on to the things that hold us down, we will be stagnant and stuck. This is the main reason why it's always good to reevaluate our lives; to set apart the things that are good and bad for us. It's good to filter and leave the extra unnecessary baggage behind. As if boarding a plane, when you bring too much you'd pay extra. You'd also find a hard time moving around because you always have so much baggage you're looking after and carrying around. It's a hassle and it's unhealthy.

What are the things that you should be giving up on? Give up on your vices. You know that they're no good for you. They will give you either a headache or a bigger problem; serious health issues. Instead of spending on too much alcohol and entrance fees to clubs and bars, spend them on buying books or on a good hearty meal. Feed your soul and your mind. Occasionally treating yourself to a bottle of wine or a night out with your friends is okay, but don't make it a lifestyle. If you want to age gracefully, take care of your health now. Prevention is after all, better than cure.

Give up on your unhealthy relationships. And by this I don't only mean romantic relationships. Give up on your friends that are only around when they need something from you. give up on friends that take advantage of you. Give up on friends that hurt you too much. Friendships should be shared by two people who would contribute to each other's growth. Friendships should not be a one way stream; both should benefit from it. Both people should be willing to make it work because friendships are also kept and maintained, like the grass in your lawn or your car that gets check ups. Besides, if friends don't help you with your growth and overall well being and if they just drag you down, they are not friends. They are leeches. They would just eventually suck the life out of you.

Give up your romantic relationships that aren't headed anywhere. If it's not a forever kind of thing (marriage or life time partnership), then you shouldn't waste your time investing in it anymore. If you're there just for the comfort and convenience or because s/he has become a part of your everyday routine, give it up. "Unless it's mad, passionate, extraordinary love, don't waste your time. There are many mediocre things in life and love shouldn't be one of them." Romantic relationships shouldn't just be about romance, it should also be about bringing out the best in each other.

Give up on your job that's turning you into a monster. You should find something that's worth your time and effort. If you don't love it, at least enjoy it. There are far more better things in life than to just be a slave of it. Do not live to work.

You only live once, make this life count. Life is already short, do not do things to unnecessarily hasten it.

Create friendships, meaningful enough to last and to withstand the test of time. And hold on to them.

Learn something new everyday. Live by the saying "the more you know, the more you do not know." take every opportunity to expand your soul.


And lastly, "Study [work] as of you've never studied [worked] before and pray as if everything depended on God." (Diokno, 2012).

So, what are you giving up today?