Never Giving Up

“I think I can, I think I can,” puffed the “Little Engine That Could”. Because he kept trying, the little engine managed to reach his goal and make it to the top of the hill. Michael Jordan, now known as the best basketball player of all time, was cut from the varsity team in high school. That didn’t stop him from winning 6 NBA Championships, 14 NBA All-Stars, and many more prestigious awards later in his life. Like the “Little Engine That Could” and Michael Jordan, I, too, have persevered through obstacles in my life. I believe that one should never give up.

When I was younger, I used to wiggle my way out of my car seat until I felt “free” and not trapped down. Boy, did my parents love that-NOT! Evidently, I have believed in never giving up all of my life. In middle school, I ran Cross Country. During one particular race, on a hot Saturday morning, I wanted to stop and get a drink of water so badly. The sun was beating down on my black uniform and it felt like my legs were about to fall off like screws on an old, overused machine. Instead of giving in, I decided to continue on and pass the finish line strong. I was glad I stayed true to my belief of never giving up because I received a 13th place ribbon out of 100 runners. Also, in middle school, I really wanted to win the top award that anyone could obtain. Continuously making straight A’s, doing my best in all I could, the Opal Hamilton award never was mine for the first two years. However, I kept my desiring spirit alive and continued to work hard through my last year of middle school; finally, at my last opportunity, I won the award.

I believe that never giving up allows one to reach his fullest potential and experience great things in life. Because I persevered through various obstacles in my life, I was able to achieve many things and enjoy getting rewarded for all my hard work. Today, one is able to enjoy the luxury of electricity because Thomas Edison was tenacious in the development of the light bulb. Today, doctors can perform open-heart surgery and save people’s lives because Michael E. Debakey was dedicated enough to create the roller pump which allows the constant blood flow to the heart during operations. Neither Edison, Debakey, nor I let any of our previous failures stop us from accomplishing our goals or our desires to be successful. This is why I believe that never giving up is so important. The saying that states, “It’s not the fall that matters, but if he gets back up,” is something that I consider to be one of the undeniable truths of life.