How do you know when not to give up hope?

Never give up hope.

That doesn’t mean there’s no time to quit. Sometimes you do have to quit. You quit and do something else instead. But that’s not giving up hope. It’s a change of direction.

@kneesox Thanks.

Really depends on the context.

I always check in with what I enjoy, what I love, what my interests are, what I’m doing with myself, in what ways I’m suffering, what my choices are, etc.

@Zaku Hope that I can fix, or learn from, my mistakes enough to stop living in the past.

Never say never.

I disagree with @kneesox – sometimes you need to look reality in the eye.

Of course the situation is key. It’s one thing give up hope of ever winning the lottery. I gave up that hope 30 years ago.

It’s quite another thing to give up hope on a relationship or on a job or on life in general.

@elbanditoroso, I’m in favor of realism too. I did say you sometimes have to give up on the thing you’re doing or trying to do, because it’s never going to work out. There can come a time to quit. I just don’t think that’s hope that you’re giving up. It’s delusion.

@Zaku has a great point. You have to have some sort of yardstick to measure where you want to invest your time and energy and what isn’t worth it. If you’re not sure of the answer to that, look for it in your past decisions and consider if you need to revise anything.

I read a quote that said something like ‘most prisoners don’t get a life sentence but many of us give them to ourselves.’
I’m not sure what you’re giving up on but sometimes accepting reality is a positive step forward. Not everyone can be an actor, musician or famous but we can all do big thing’s in our circle, block or town.
You are enough just as you are, my friend. :D

@KNOWITALL I considered being an actor, a musician, or famous, and quickly became clear I didn’t want to be any of those things.

When the alternative is either quick or slow death.

When you realize that your one candle light in this universe is yet a light of hope for others to find there way in the dark.

A lone candle light is all that is needed on a dark night for another to find safely.

We all have a purpose big and or small but it keeps the wheels of hope running for the greater good of mankind.

When the police are involved.