We connected with some of the most resilient folks in the community and one of the most insightful questions we had an opportunity to ask centered around whether there was ever a time they almost gave up. Highlighting some of the responses below.
Ryan Oakley
I recently wanted to give up and stop doing art. I was feeling like my work was not being valued, and that I was being overlooked as an artist. I love making art, but it just felt like an aimless pursuit at the time. I took a break from what I thought I was supposed to be doing and begin to have fun. Read more>>
Rob Flores
Yes. There was a time when depression had me in a place where I felt like giving up. On the outside, I was holding everything together—serving in the military, providing for my family, and showing up day after day. But on the inside, I felt empty and overwhelmed, like I was quietly failing the very people who mattered most to me. Read more>>
Brian Quick
There was a point in 2022, during my battle with vasculitis, when I almost gave up. I went from building my real estate business to suddenly lying in a hospital bed at Duke, unable to walk, talk, or even feed myself. The physical pain was intense, but the emotional weight of losing my independence was even heavier. Read more>>
Anthony Morgan
I’ve had to gather myself to write these next set of words. The truth is that there was a point in my life where I wanted to be done with life, done with music, and was losing all hope. It was the year 2022 and I was really going through. I thought for sure giving up was the best and final option. Read more>>
Tee Greenfield
There were plenty of times I wanted to give up but giving up wasn’t an option. It meant that I needed to trust God with what he wanted next for my life. When things didn’t go as I planned, I wanted to give up so bad. When no money was coming in, I wanted to give up so bad but instead I continued to pray. Read more>>
