I was watching So You Think You Can Dance last night. I’m a big fan of the show. My favorite from the last three weeks of auditions, Robert Muraine, just quit. I’m totally shocked. Before you read any further, you need to have an understanding of this man’s level of talent.
He’s a popper, a hip hop dancer who with major contortion skills and unbelievable showmanship. Nigel, the producer for the show, actually said that Robert was his favorite dancer of the year.
Robert, however, has never done choreography before. He’s a freestyle street performer. After sitting through the first round of choreography, before performing for the judges, he started telling the other contestants that he was going to quit. The judges heard about it and invited him on stage to perform a solo for the other judges, to encourage him. He performed and the other judges were blown away. Mia Michaels told him that he had a duty to the talent and gift that he had been given – that if he quit he would be s*****ng on his talent. They practically begged him not to quit.
But he walked away.
It’s not too much of a stretch for me to relate this to marriage.
I remember early in my marriage when my wife and I were having problems. I’ve talked about it before – even though it’s heart-breakingly painful, divorce is too easy.
Men, if you are considering giving up on your marriage, don’t do it. Your wife loves you, she believes in you, even if it’s just deep down. If your wife is still asking you stay, still trying to work it out with you, then you owe it to her and yourself to not quit.
Five years from now, when you look back on this moment, will you honestly be able to say that you gave it your best shot and went down pouring out your heart and soul? Did you wait for her final vote before you walked away?
Robert Muraine, wherever you are now, I hope that you find the courage to come back and try again.
