Don’t give up.  Just keep going.  Keep progressing forward.  Martin Luther King Jr. said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”  Sometimes life can seem too overpowering and too demanding.  When life gets to the point where you feel like it would be easier to give up and end it all…that is when something amazing can happen.  The darkest hour is just before the dawn.  If you can find a way to get through the worst of it and make it to the dawn of the new day amazing things can happen.

If you are depressed or going through more stress than you think you can handle remember you have to listen to motivational music, lectures, friends, etc.  Find something inspirational.  Here are a few of my favorite “go-to’s” when I’m feeling down or getting overly stressed about things:

1. Josh Groban’s “You are Loved (Don’t Give Up)”

Here are the lyrics of the song:

“Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt that you hide
When you’re lost inside
I…I will be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I…I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
Don’t give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved”

And a link to the music video on youtube:

2.  Barlow Girls “Hope Will Lead You On”

Here are the lyrics of the song:

“Rise up again
Shake off the shadows
Unlock the doors
And let hope live once more
Cause up from the ashes
A fire is woken
Cause those who were broken,
Are becoming the chosen

So lift up your eyes
Cause we’re not forgotten
And hope will lead us on

Our hearts come alive
With every moment
Become the flame
That shows us the way
So sing out your freedom
Sing it out loud
Cause though we are broken
We’re becoming the chosen

So lift up your eyes
Cause we’re not forgotten
And hope will lead us on
Oh we pray for the dawn
And we reach for the morning
And hope will lead us on

Oh the day will come
As we press on
When the battle’s won

So lift up your eyes
Cause we’re not forgotten
And hope will lead us on

So lift up your eyes
Cause we’re not forgotten
And hope will lead us on
Oh we pray for the dawn
And we reach for the morning
And hope will lead us on
And hope will lead us on
And hope will lead us on”

And a link to a music video on youtube:

3.  The Canadian Tenors “Hallelujah”

Here are the lyrics of the song:

“I’ve heard that there was a secret chord
That David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do ya?
It goes like this the 4th, the 5th, minor fall the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moon light overthrew ya
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Baby, I’ve been here before
I know this room and I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew ya
Seen your flag on the marble arch
And love is not a victory march
Its cold and it’s a broken, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Did my best, it wasn’t much
Couldn’t feel so I tried to touch
I told the truth I didn’t come to fool ya
Even though it all went wrong
Stand before the Lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah”

And a link to the song on youtube:

4.  Darren Hardy’s “The Compound Effect” on Audio Book

6 CD’s for longer and daily inspiration.  Nothing opened my eyes more to personal responsibility.

5.  Andy Andrews “The Traveler’s Gift” on Audio Book

7 Decisions that determine personal success.  Fantastic read.

Find ways to lift your head up and step forward.  No matter what comes our way it’s important to remember that we live better now then Kings of old.  We have an abundance of food and clean water, there are ways to get shelter, and clothing is cheap and plentiful.  Basic human needs are met in America and we have amazing opportunity here.  It’s important to be thankful for what we have and be thankful for the adversity and hardships we face to make us stronger and better people.

Don’t give up.  Never give up.  Keep pushing forward with everything you have.

-Brad