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When is it the right time to step back, say good-bye, to admit to yourself that continuing in the same job, role, or relationship is no longer possible?

I’ve made changes in my own life over the last couple of years and found the process both sad and joyful. And I thought of this several times last week –firstly Joe Biden’s poor performance in his recent televised debate against Donald Trump– with the result that he’s now facing pressure to withdraw and make way for someone else. But President Biden insists that he’s going to run and win again even adding that only the `Lord almighty’ would cause him to quit.

And then later in the week, the emotional tribute paid to Andy Murray after he played his last match at Wimbledon. Acknowledging that all his injuries now made it too tough, but how much the sport means to him, Murray said `Its hard, because I would love to keep playing but I can’t.’

There’s something admirable about the tenacity and fighting spirit which keeps people hanging on and after all, success can be intoxicating. To admit to yourself that you can longer do everything that drives you, that a part of your life is over is hard, perhaps something with which we all struggle.

But saying good bye to the things and people we love and value, the foundations of our lives even our identities, is a reminder that our achievements and victories are always temporary. It's this truth which gives life meaning and renewed purpose. As time passes, rather than worry about what’s no longer possible, we can try to enjoy what we still have with gratitude and maybe embrace new ways of helping and motivating others.

The 13th century Muslim poet Rumi, reminds us that human beings always have the potential to be a source of inspiration for others, and wrote ` everything in the universe is within you; ask all from yourself.’ And centuries later, wanting to inspire a cultural awakening in Indian Muslims, the philosopher and poet Muhammad Iqbal wrote, `Rise like a wave and always keep struggling with the sea. Are you looking for the shore, o ignorant one? Where is the shore?" For, isn’t life a constant struggle and a march forward?

Being human means holding onto both the fragility and strength of life within ourselves. It's knowing that no feeling is final - to experience life at every stage is a gift, and if we’re lucky, an opportunity to write a different story about ourselves.

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