Just Quit Already - Or Not.
“quit while you are ahead”
“just quit already”
“move on”
quit when there is an easy out.
quit after achieving (or for not achieving) what others deem as “success”.
quit when it would be easier to walk away than to experience public failure.
quit, for fear of ‘what could happen if you lose’
“you should quit while you’re ahead” ——
or maybe not?
do not quit.
press on.
move forward.
be bigger,
be better,
be bolder,
be BRAVER.
for the potential in you, please do not quit.
for when you are “ahead”, the moments to come are growth, unrealized opportunities, connections abound, and mistakes turned into life lessons;
for minimizing your potential for others’ comfort, convenience, or dreams is dampening your impact, the purpose for which you were put on this planet, and closing yourself off from an experience that has the potential to profoundly impact your life.
for quitting with a dream unrealized - out of mere fear of the possibility of it never coming true - is a regret “being ahead” can never overcome.
take it from the girl with a legacy built on perseverance — never once won a local teen title to advance to the state competition, 8 years as a Miss America titleholder, with four consecutive top 4 placements at the state level (earning nearly $40,000 in scholarship money) — and not too long ago, I was advised to “quit while I was ahead.”
Hey there — it’s me. and I know a thing or two about losing.
Had I quit, I would’ve missed out on so many opportunities — many ‘highlights’ below.
Seeing one of my best friends win Miss Missouri.
Winning my first title.
Competing as Missouri’s representative at the National Sweetheart Pageant.
Having two of the best dang Show-Me Stars there ever was (love ya Maddie and Isa!).
Winning a preliminary talent award - not once, but twice - despite being told as a Teen that I had “no real talent”
Holding hands with multiple Miss Missouri’s to watch their dream come true.
Experiences that I could have never happened… had I said no and quit just moments too soon.
Some of the state and national titleholders that I admire most — Jenn Davis; the current Miss Oklahoma, Miss Oregon, Miss New Hampshire, Miss Mississippi; Noelia Voigt, our current Miss USA; Deshauna Barber, and Mallory Hagan, former Miss America — did not quit. Their journeys are ones of triumph, ones of starting over, ones of trying just one. more. time. A testament to never giving up on yourself and trusting the timing.
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They did not quit.
I am not quitting.
& neither are you.
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Miss Missouri at-large applications are now open for a short period of time — as in like a week sis (apps close February 15). You can apply here or reach out to Steve Wilson, the Miss Missouri’s Teen director for all the deets.
Don’t be like me who applied to be an at-large teen contestant many moons ago and withdrew because I got scared. :-)
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If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.
“Quitting while you’re ahead” has no place in an opportunity designed to bring out YOUR very best.
All this to say, this little blog is always the place of the words I wish I would have heard. the lessons I wish someone would have shared with me. the mentor I wish I would have had. Take it or leave it, and stepping back from something that is no longer for you is certainly not the same as quitting.
Chase the fire in your belly - whatever that may be - and do so fervently in pursuit of your next best yes.
and to begin, you must simply try. ✨
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Virtual hugs & buffalo wings,