During this time of year I get nostalgic with the fall air and as I enjoy watching elementary, high school, and university students running cross country races. It reminds me of my days as a runner in the late 60s, early 70s, and more recently, my own sons’ many fall cross country running seasons. It’s a wonderful time of year. This video piece from a high school runner’s determination to finish her race inspired not only the spectators but allowed her team to have a superb result.

This season also reminds me of a poem I have had in my possession but not been able to discover the author.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Question: Is there anything you wish you had finished? What can you do to increase your capacity to finish the things you start?