Before I go on with this, I want to preface that the inspiration of this story takes place when I was much younger and certainly less professional and responsible. At the same time, I think that to make our rebirth of sanity and the need to create healthy boundaries relatable, I wanted to add some of my story to add some flashes of interesting color.

I was thinking about the words of Howard Beale, who was played by the actor Peter Finch in the movie Network when he said, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.”

Years back a friend of mine told me to learn how to build bridges, not walls.
I thought about this. I think there are reasons for walls. I think that’s what doors are created for too and inasmuch as I can tell, there are people who deserve the bridge and others who deserve the door to be closed.
I can say this with all certainty.
I can say that yes, there are people who have grown angry because they didn’t get their way.
I can say that yes, I have seen people throw tantrums or become outraged because I drew a line and yes; it is reasons like this that I am fortunate my boundaries exist.
But wait –
There’s more . . .

Before moving to the next phase and while we are still on the topic of inspirational thoughts to push us forward, we are here to seek ownership of our lives. To control our lives, we have to understand where our control begins and where this ends.

The important items in our life that we have to consider are the items that are within our control.
The reason I list this is because part of the definition of sanity is to be able to think and behave in a normal or rational manner. This means sanity is also an action which is to behave reasonably or with rational behavior. 
Okay – so, let’s discuss.

Phase Four is a simple text. This is intended to bring out the inner truths and to spark the light from within. I have had my share of darkness in the past, which I openly discuss and describe because in my experience, the fact that I have accomplished or succeeded in one direction means that I can accomplish and succeed again in a new direction as well.
I think that first and foremost, it is important and valuable to create that inner narrative. It is helpful to create that inner hero; to hear these words, perhaps in a voice that is unlike your own; as if it’s someone reading this to you in a voice with the sole intention of inspiring you and pushing you to reach your next best level.

I write this to you, tired as ever, and after a long shift at work and a sleepless night.
But as tired as I am, I write this to you as a person who made a commitment to do this; to reach out to you on a daily basis because I knew that if I give in once, it becomes easier to give in again. Next it becomes even easier to quit – which is why I go on and push myself to move in the direction of greatness.

Ante up . . .
I used to hear this at poker games.
This means the cards are on the table and it’s your turn to bet.
This means get ready to play the hand you have and be ready to gamble.
I say this here and now: Ante up.
But it’s not like you think. This isn’t a card game.
Not in the least –

Phase Four is about the realization that life is always happening. But more, this is also about the unseeable facts of life which take place. They happen to everyone, yet most of our pains and the majority of our personal discomforts are absolutely unseeable.
Yet, the world still turns.
I have been told, “Nobody cares.”
I have been told, “Suck it up!” Maybe this is true. Or maybe this is good advice.
I’m not arguing that . . .

When it comes to beating oneself up, there’s a saying that goes, “it’s time to put the bat down.”
I agree. People beat themselves up far too much and far too long.
It’s time to set those bags down.
Better yet, when it’s time to talk about rebirth of our sanity or at least find our sanity and maintain this to the best of our ability, the next best move would be to eliminate our frustrations.
However, in all fairness, dealing with frustration is part of reality.
Reality is part of life; therefore, denying our reality has never helped our sanity in the first place.

No one knows.
No one knows exactly how or what you feel. No one knows what the touch feels like from the tips of your fingers nor can anyone see the spectrum of colors through your eyes.
No one else knows this. Only you.
No one knows what a weight feels like in your hands or on your body. No one knows what it’s like for you to carry something on your back because, to them, their ability to carry weight or the sensation of weight is not the same.
No one knows what your muscles experience or what heaviness feels like to you.
Only you know this.

Whether we know the answers or not, there are questions which I have been asking throughout these journal entries. Hopefully, the questions are enough to make us think. Better yet, hopefully the questions I’ve been asking are enough to inspire us to act mindfully or to push us to reach for the next level.
But hey, this is life, right?
There is so much going on around us. Isn’t there?
Is there really a question why we lose our tempers? Is there even a question about why or how we freak out?
I say this honestly because I would rather attack my goals from an honest and humble perspective. I would rather be true to my thoughts than deny them. Instead of hiding my fears, I find justice in exposing them because they lose strength and now I see that I am stronger than my fears because, at last, I have the bravery to speak about them, out loud and in the open.