What made you give up?

Question

So what made you give up your dreams, and why? Not saying everyone did, I just want the people who did to tell me why they did it.

I lived a fairly rough life back home. Every since I can remember, drugs and abuse were a huge part of my life. Not me personally, but of my parents. We never had enough money for anything but drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. No food, barely any housing. Never had utilities. Hopped from house to houses of relatives, trying to make sure we had a warm area at night to sleep in. Much more to this story. I'm seventeen now, incase your wondering.

I had just turn 16. I met a nice gal 2.5k miles away from where I lived. I had enough of it one day. I got a job, as terrible as it was, ringing a bell in the freezing cold for the Salvation Army. I saved up enough money, made sure I could become emancipated, and hopped a bus destined for that young lady. I never looked back, never thought about it twice. And guess what?

That chance made my life a whole lot better.

I've seen what fear can do to a man. My father became so ashamed of what he did, he ran off. No one has heard from him again. He never gave up the habit, but he didn't want anyone to see him. I can only assume he passed away.

Sixty, a drug addict, and all alone.

Sad way to die when dying that way is your biggest fear, huh?

Answer 1

I'm happy for you, you made the right choice, putting your life in your own hands.

And I never have given up on my dreams.
I think if anyone does, they would always never be truly happy with their lives, and who they are.

Answer 2

I'm not really sure. I was always into school, always enjoyed it. But once I was out of high school the burden was lifted. It was no longer mandatory for me to go to school.

So I took a semester at a local college and it didn't go as planned at all. I never felt stupider. It was as if I never went to high school. The computer science field is extremely hard, the college I went to the teachers and students acted like grade school bullies. Things were not going well. So while my grades were dropping I just stopped going. I have an extremely bad habit of quitting jobs too. I one day (after working in an office for 9 months) just decided to quit. It was a huge mistake. I really regret burning that bridge because I haven't been able to find another job since then. I don't know where my drive and ambition went. So now I am just deciding what my next step should be.

Answer 3

Sounds like we had similar childhoods, I left home at 17 and had a dream to work with animals...put myself through school even though it took me 10 years to earn my degree. It was a long stressful struggle....financially and emotionally. There were times when I had no food and no money for gas to get myself to work or school. I finally earned my degree than had to do seasonal work for 7 years before landing a full time job. I now work doing my absolute dream job (full time), as a wildlife biologist, and pretty much live in my dream house as
well. It all paid off in the end so glad I did not give up. Just remember..it does not matter how you were raised..you yourself can decide whether or not you will be happy or successful in life, and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Answer 4

Hello there,
I have had a similar past minus the drugs and include verbal, physical and sexual abuse done to me by family members, teacher and strangers. I have also been the victim of an alcoholic dad and a mother who was constantly abused by him. My father never owned me as his child nor did he any of the seven children my mother had for him..Although we were living with him.

They gave me away when i was eleven-they didnt even go a through formal adoption process- they just gave me to a complete stranger who needed company because she was up in age. This stranger treated me like a virus and a slave. I couldnt even study around her! I had to wake up ant nights when she was asleep and hide and do my studies. When i got through to go to college she got the shock of her life, she asked me to choose between living with her and go to college and if i chose the later, I could never return. I chose the later. I told her thanks and i left.

I visited her after i left college and told her that i have forgiven her and i do not hold grudges...she died a week after....

My dad finally owns me because I am "the star i his crown" the first to have actually made it through school. I still call him now and then, support and love him too. He is my father and no matter how messed up that is, i cant change that. Afterall, i have him to thank for who i am today, maybe if things were different i wouldnt be so greatful for the little things in life, like love and family. He taught me what it was like to not have these things, so now that i have them, i am greatful.

My mom and I have a great relationship now and she's pouring out all her love on her grand daughter. I understand why she had to give me away. It was the only way to give me a chance at making something good of my life. If I had stayed, I would have just become another statistic in the long chain of high school dropouts and pregnant teens that plagued us-my family- so.

Today i am a high school teacher who is qualified, a wife and a mother, a strong Christian and still persuing my dreams. I cant possibly think about giving up now, after all I have been through to get this far.

you have asked what made me gave up, my answer is nothing did but it rather these things that makes me go on.

I have not lived a wasted life.

God bless.

Answer 5

I'm so proud of you : D

I didn't give up even though I didn't want to go on. I kind of struggled awhile and then I had my son, and that's when I realized what I was here for, to try to make a better life for him than I had, and do things different so he wouldn't grow up the way that I did. The whole journey has turned out to be a blessing because I learned more about myself and the purpose of life...and I am VERY glad that I didn't give up. Life just keeps getting better!!!

I feel bad for your dad, he didn't know he had a choice, or, if he did, he made bad ones. His loss. You're turned out great and he is missing it!!!

Answer 6

I gave up because i was addicted to procrastination.

Answer 7

good for you...
it's a good thing you never got involved with what your parents are into...
great courage....
i admire you.
not all people have the courage you have...
most are afraid...

Answer 8

I realized it was never gonna happen.......................... It depended on other people...