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Don’t drop your pack was a saying from the Marine Corps. In the Marine Corps all our back packs had quick connect features that allow you to dump your pack in an emergency. It was a great feature that no one used.
Once you dumped your pack using the quick releases it was a time consuming pain to get the pack put back together so you could wear it again.
Marines use the quick release as an analogy more than anything else because it’s that hard to get the pack back together.
The analogy is at the end of a long hike (hump in Marine Corps jargon) you pull the quick release and let your pack drop because you are done. From experience doing anything more then 15 miles, dropping your pack is the best feeling you will ever have. But you have to do it by taking it off, not the quick releases.
In the Marine Corps work is never done. If you drop your pack with the quick releases you will not be able to put it back on and continue to move. Because no matter what anyone says, you aren’t really done with your pack until you are back at the barracks.
I never met the Marine, but the analogy goes, don’t drop your pack until you are done. When you can see the end, and you think you are there, you will want to pull those quick releases and let that pack full. But don’t do it before you are truly or done, or you will be sorry.
This is where I am in my 75 Hard journey. I’m almost there. I can see the finish line… but it’s no time to drop my pack. Even at the end, don’t use the quick releases or you will be sorry.
So I continue forward with my burden securely on my back. One step at a time. One day at a time.
What do you do when you can see the finish line?
Will you drop your pack in sight of the finish?
Will you cross the line and pull the quick releases?
Or will you finish strong, head held high, and enjoy the victory even with your burden still on your back?
Marines continue forward even after the finish line with their burdens. It isn’t done until it is done.
I will continue all the way through the 75 days, then I will think about taking off my pack.
75 Hard I will Conquer,
Ben Branam