Never Give Up!
Ryan Giffen
Throughout my life, I was told many times from people “You can’t do it.” At age twelve, I wanted to play the trumpet and had the desire to be in a marching band some day. I envisioned being the conductor on the platform, and the person leading a marching band down a parade route. People were skeptical and felt that I didn’t have what was necessary to meet that goal. Sure enough, my junior year of high school (five years after starting trumpet), I was the person leading a marching band down parade routes throughout California and walking away with first place trophies for best drum major in the division.
About twelve years ago I was freshman in high school that was receiving failing marks with no intention of attending college. I was achieving grades of C’s and D’s and didn’t have what was necessary to get accepted into a University. I didn’t have the grades, I refused to study for the SAT, and I came from a broken home. However, in my junior year of high school, something clicked after my English teacher (Lauretta Cortez) gave me the motivation and understanding needed to see my “real future.”
I applied to one University with a high school G.P.A of about 2.65 and an SAT score of only 725. I was denied acceptance to Biola University and felt something had to be done. I fought my way into the University by having high school teachers, the district superintendent, family, friends, and myself write letters to the University. I believed in myself and I knew others believed in me because I did not give up in high school, and I progressively changed my attitude and outlook on life. I successfully graduated with my undergraduate degree in four years. It was then when I began a great career with Marriott International as a sales manager and two years later, found myself working towards a Masters degree while promoted into managing hotel operations.
During my Masters program I took a course that required me to go into the wilderness for three days and be challenged as a leader. During one of the activities that weekend, I found myself on a rock climb that seemed impossible and believed I wouldn’t finish the climb. Half way up the climb I became weak, disappointed, and no longer motivated. I couldn’t get a good grasp of the rock, my feet wouldn’t wedge between the crevice and I was stuck in the same position in the blistering sun with sweat dripping from my face and blood accruing upon my fingertips for forty-five minutes. However, my classmates and instructor refused to let me down to the comfort of the ground, rather they kept pushing me and providing words of encouragement.
During those forty-five minutes I began to have rapid flash backs of my past in seeing how I believed I “couldn’t succeed.” However, I realized that people in my life (such as my high school English teacher) believed in who I was and what my potential would be. My classmates, instructor, and myself knew I could get to the top of this huge rock just as long as I persevered and believed in myself. I finally reached the top of this vertical rock where I breathed a huge relief and had an amazing view of the dessert skyline.
President Abraham Lincoln failed miserably on several occasions throughout his term as President of the United States. Regardless of his recognizing in his failure, he would drop to his knees nightly and ask God for wisdom and strength. His cabinet would guide, encourage, and provide strength through wisdom to assist in the difficult decisions he was facing. As a result, he didn’t give up and is now deemed as a pinnacle asset to the success of the United States.
I have sought out wisdom, guidance, and encouragement throughout my life while I continue to grow and discover the importance of never giving up. In a large corporate environment, it’s quite common for people to give up because of the many aspects that dwell within the corporate culture. My story is justone and there are many more alike! The point is this: you can’t give up at school, work, family, or even God!! If you believe in who you are, then there is no reason for you to give up. You are an important role to society placed on this earth for a purpose. To not give up on your vision, dreams, and goals will only strengthen your character and even result in you being the next great leader in whatever aspirations you desire to achieve. If you believe in yourself, under NO circumstances should you give up…never give up!!
© Ryan T. Giffen May 2010