Motivational Quotes

 

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"If You're Going Through Hell, Keep Going" 

Winston Churchill

 

Why Stopping Is Not an Option

We've all heard that saying at some point, whether it was whispered to us by a wise friend in a time of despair or plastered on an Instagram post with a picture of a sunrise. "Keep going if you're going through hell." It seems like something from an old-fashioned philosopher with a wealth of life experience or from a motivational speech delivered by a seasoned coach.

However, let's break it down and discover why this expression is more than just cheesy phrase we use when someone is having a rough day. It might even be the greatest life advice you've ever heard.

What’s the Deal with Hell?👿

Let's talk about the "hell" part first. It's not good if we're being literal. To be honest, it's a terrible place to go on vacation, and nobody should want to spend more time there than absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, we are discussing life here, not Dante's Inferno. That annoying period of time when everything goes wrong and you feel like you're riding a unicycle while juggling blazing chainsaws. Do you understand?

Whether it’s a rough breakup, a job that feels like a never-ending game of Whac-A-Mole, or the sheer joy of adulting in general, hell can feel like it’s just part of the ride. But what Winston Churchill, who probably had a lot of time to think about this stuff while dealing with World War II, was getting at is that quitting isn’t the solution. If things suck, you might as well keep moving forward because—newsflash—staying stuck in one place only means you’ll eventually get more burned.

Why "Keep Going" Makes Perfect Sense

Let's now discuss why the magic occurs when you "keep going." Consider yourself slogging through mud. It moves slowly. It wears you out. Sometimes, all you want to do is lie down and rest in the swamp. The problem is that the mud begins to pull you in moment you stop moving. Before you realize it, you've become completely entangled in it, making it even more difficult to break free.

You're making progress if you keep going even when it seems like you're barely getting by. Even though they might not seem like much, small steps are still steps. Similar to opening a jar of pickles, you can't get the lid off at first, but if you keep twisting, it will pop open eventually.  (I assure you that this is merely a metaphor and that I am not offering pickle-opening instructions for my blog on a regular basis, though I would be pleased to offer guidance if you ever require it.)

The Fun Twist: Hell’s Actually Pretty Boring

The worst part is that Hell isn't as cool as we're made to think. Unless you're in one of those heavy metal bands, in which case—party on!—it's not all fire and brimstone with dancing demons. Hell, it's not even interesting when you're in it. It's a boring, nasty place. It's a completely different matter after you move past it, though. Looking back, you see that the worst part of the trip wasn't the actual travel but rather being caught up in your thoughts and believing that you could stop.

You see, life is full of unforeseen detours, stops, and starts. You're basically choosing to live in the portion of the story where nothing occurs if you give up at every difficulty. However, if you persevere, the story will continue to develop, and it is this development that adds interest to life. Every hero—and let's face it, you are a hero in your own right—needs a little conflict to keep things interesting, even though some chapters may feel like you're trekking through quicksand.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Don't set up your tent in the middle of the swamp the next time you're feeling trapped in what seems like a horrible episode of  "Lost" or "Survivor: Life Edition." Get through it. Things will get better. And before you know it, you'll be smiling at your survival while sipping your symbolic cocktail on the other side of hell.

The road may be rocky, but who said you can’t turn a pothole into a dance floor?

So go ahead—keep going. Hell might just be temporary, but your Success is Forever.

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