White Flag

"Fall down seven times, get up eight."

I remembered that quote from a commercial while I was watching this sports channel. It had a short, yet meaningful message to never give up. Whatever happens, never give in, never lose hope, never say never.

But how can one stand back up again, when he's drained and beaten far beyond recognition?
How can one fight back, when he knows he's on a losing battle? How can one find the will to fight for what he wants, when, in the end, he knows he won't ever get it?

To lose someone you love is something no one would like. It hurts less than manually pulling out a tooth with pliers, but it hurts more than getting knifed in the flank. Certainly not a pretty sight to behold. Also something hard to nurse and shoo away.

There can be a lot of reasons why someone loses the one he or she holds dear, and one of them is giving up. Giving up, as many would call it, is a weak and cowardice act, no matter what circumstances there is. But will you keep on running across a hall of broken glass if on the other end is a sea of lemon juice?

Will you keep holding onto a hot potato even if it's not for you?

Will you be the martyr just to see him or her happy with someone else holding him/her?

Will you forever be the hopeless romantic who will only be a stepping stone to someone else's happiness, with not even a slight of appreciation?

Where's the pride and dignity in that? If you can't give yourself a stable relationship, at least give yourself the dignity and humanity to continue after the failures. To give your all for nothing in return, is noble. But if you're not out there to save humanity, and only to woo one person in this world overrun with leeches and parasites, you're stupid.

Never give everything you have, leave some for yourself. Learn to know when it's okay to let it go, and just move on. Learn to say no. Learn to wave goodbye with a smile as you see someone you love in the arms of another, knowing they're happier. Learn to know when to raise the white flag and save yourself the trouble of sinking in too deep beyond salvation.