Keep Trying!

Peace family, do you have any things in your life that you keep trying to do, but you keep feeling like you are failing? Don’t give up!

There are all kinds of things that we can try and fail at, but failure isn’t a permanent state, nor does it disqualify what we learn through our efforts.

This is kind of a silly example, but two falls ago, I started trying to knit a pair of socks in the hopes that one day, I would have the skill set to knit a whole, lovely sweater. Every fall I try multiple times, but I have either forgotten or given up! This year, I was determined to do it, and do it well!

Since starting this year’s efforts about two weeks ago, I have had to undo everything and start over at least 6-8 times (which doesn’t sound like much, but it is very time-consuming; it can take hours), watched about 3 online videos, asked 3 friends, and consulted 2 books! This past Saturday, I felt so frustrated that I got that tightened jaw feeling, where you feel like you could honestly bite someone, if you were provoked!

With a few “cool down” breaks, a few prayers, hard work and an unwillingness to give up, I finally have my socks started and looking better than they have on any of my previous attempts (and I’m happy to tell you that I didn’t end up biting anyone!) Aspects of knitting that I thought would never make sense, or that I would always be too clumsy to do, suddenly are manageable after all of the practice!

To be fair, when you’re knitting socks, the stakes aren’t as high as when you are trying to start a new business, struggling through a problem with your family, or going through tension at work, but some of the principles are the same. Don’t give up! If it’s worth doing and doing well, just keep trying. Keep learning. Keep praying and asking your more knowledgeable friends for help. Keep things in perspective, and above all, don’t give up! Sometimes things just take a lot of time and effort, even if they’re only knitted socks! 🙂