Give up and Quit

When the going gets tough, quit. We always want to take the easy route. When things aren't going the way we want, hope, or expect them to go, we want to throw in the towel and quit. When we are subjugated with new unwanted rules, it is in our nature to rebell or quit.



An animal reacts out of instinct. Some animals learn to modify this instinct to please an owner. For example, a dog can learn to resist his urge to (pee on the furniture) mark his territory. However, if you bring in another animal, the dog's immediate reaction will be totally instinctual. His reaction depends on his temperament, his character, and his personality.


People have a version of instinctual behavior. This is most evident in little children. They smile when they are happy, they throw things that they don't want, they spit out yucky food, they fall on the floor and cry when they don't get their way. But as a human being, we learn, rationalize, reason, and adapt. We grow beyond acting on our first impulse. It's understandable (and almost cute) when an 18 month old throws a temper tantrum. Not so much, when a 4 year old does the same thing. It is in our nature, and is usually our first reaction, to want to scream, break something, or give up and quit.

Doing homework: “I don't get it! The answer is not in here! I'm not doing it!” 
Playing football with neighbor kids: Loosing child gets mad, takes his football and goes home 
Playing a board game: Person loosing badly gets mad, flips the game over, pieces fly everywhere.

This is childish behavior. Most of us grow up. We put away childish behavior. We learn to persist and prevail. “Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” -Vince Lombardi


I am not a quitter. I won't engage you in an altercation. It doesn't mean I agree with you. It doesn't mean I give up.