Furthermore, the idea that I have to realize is that it is not impossible to overcome the insurmountable. There are methods and ways, passes and sweeps and, of course, there are things we can do to turn this around. For example, we can look to regain the dominant position and no matter how down or hurt or beaten we are, just know that there is always a way. Therefore, look for the way to bring yourself back up to your feet.
Life at an uphill glance is tough to consider. This is hard to think about, especially when all you see is the climb from the bottom of the mountain.
The mind plays tricks.
The body anticipates the pain. We assume the stress and the burdens of intimidation. Of course, the eyes can only see the work ahead.
The prize is too distant to see.
We wonder the obvious.
Where do we begin?
If we have to make a change or initiate distance between us and old habits, or especially in the case of building a new life, and we have to find a way to humble ourselves and start back at the beginning, the question becomes how to move forward without overthinking the next few steps?
Movement engages the change.
We have to focus.
Forget all the distractions. Forget your enemies, in whichever form they may appear.
Fuck them.
Make the first move.
Start here!
Then take the next step.
We have to be mindful of the voices we listen to, which can be internal or external; however, and otherwise, mind the voices that push you the most. Listen to the angels on your shoulder and ignore the demons on your back.
Stand up.
Look at yourself in the mirror.
Is this what you want to see?
If not, then what do you have to do?
How can you make the changes to be happy with your own reflection?
This is not a test. This is not a trick.
There is not smoke or mirrors or anything hidden up the sleeve. No, the secrets we find along the way and the tiny blessing or the signs of encouragement are all on the side of your encouragement.
And yes, you do have the right to be encouraged.
I do not care what the accusations may be. I do not care about your past. I do not care about your sins or your mistakes.
I care about what happens now, as in right here and right now, because what we do with this moment is going to be the echo of how we stood up against a personal tyranny.
This will be the echoes of our victory and later, this will become the voices of our future that tell us, “sure, you were down before. But look where you are now!”
Get up!
There is no reason to go through the demons of our past.
We can stop this now. We can let go of the remnants of our regrettable yesterdays and we can relinquish our claim to old and unfortunate events.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Let the past be the past,
or let the bridges that burn light our way.
It’s time for a change.
But by all means, see yourself where you want to be.
Give yourself a view of how you want your life to look because if you can’t see it, then how can you build it?
Make this your goal.
No, wait. Make this your commitment.
This is your purpose now, to find your way, which is not only to adapt or overcome, and which is more than to improve and to surpass our old limitations but also, this is to become our mission, no differently from the hungry dogs of war.
Let this consume you. Let this become you.
Let yourself drown in the firelight of your biggest destruction and yes, with heated blood and all of your might, let this turn into the brilliance of your own resurrection.
I have news.
The world is full of letdowns and setbacks.
The days are riddled with pain and confusion. And yes, good things happen to bad people and, vice versa, bad things happen to good people.
This happens all the time.
Pay no attention to this. Do not mind the crosses you have to bear or the burdens you have to carry.
These are yours.
Minding the rest of the world or comparing scars or blaming others for your predicament is unhelpful.
Just know that regardless of fault, this is where we are. Therefore, the question is not why do things happen to us, or “why me?” or whatever else comes with the brigades of pity will bring along, but now, the question is what are we going to do?
Are we going to allow this to become us?
Are we going to allow our challenges the right to dictate or determine whether we are happy or successful?
Are we going to give up our claims to the life we’ve always wanted?
Because if we do, this will be the echoes of our future.
So . . .
Are we going to submit to failure and become the predictions that leave us invalid, or are we going to look for the sweep and improve our position?
Think about this.
Think long and hard because the voice of our decision is going to become the call of our future.
Otherwise, if we quit, the echo of yesterday’s defeat will become a voice in the nightmares of our tomorrow.
So, what do you want to do?
How do you want to go forward?
Are we going to surrender?
Are we going to give up?
Or, will we claim the right to fight back from a more dominant position?
We can do this.
We can do this by any means.
We can grip and growl, and with all of our hearts, we can tear into the flesh of our hatred and destroy the voice of our internal enemies.
We can do this.
We can avoid the dilemmas of our personal strife by replacing thoughts with action.
Put simply . . .
We have to move.
We have to face the pain and, at the same time, we have to work to improve and step away from the pain. We have to do this until, of course, pain is only a memory. Or better, the pain is part of the triumph that took place to overcome our oppressor.
I never mind when an enemy growls.
This is what enemies do.
I pay attention when an enemy smiles because this means I have something on the way.
At the same time, I realize that no one can kill me.
No character assassination can ever be successful, unless we allow them to be.
Even in the cases where I have taken a direct hit, and where I was damaged, or hurt, or broken, or alone, I found that I have always been able to get back up.
I don’t know how, but I have always been able to rise above and that despite the wounds or the pain, I managed to progress.
I managed to do this even where progress was impossible or prohibited.
Either way, good or bad, at least I walked away.
At least I stood with my shoulders back.
I put my chin up.
At least I took my punishments, whether just or unjust, and while hurt or nursing my wounds or while brokenhearted, no one in the world has ever stopped me — except for me, of course.
But I’m not doing that anymore.
(Are you?)
Therefore, no one can stop us.
Anything that you assume will stop you is nothing more than an excuse that people use to honor their intimidation.
If you want something.
Work for it.
If you’re not going to work for it, then let it go because someone else deserves it more than you do.
Do you know why?
The answer is because they’re looking to put in the work for it.
You’re looking for excuses or for reasons not to try.
The time for bullshit intimidation is through.
The question is what are you going to do?
If the answer is nothing, or I don’t know, or if you stall or if you procrastinate, don’t worry, your loss will be the echo of your future.
This will linger for the rest of your days.
Ever reminding you that when the time came to make a difference, all you were able to do was come up with an excuse and subject your life to more of the same.
That life is not for me, at least not anymore.
The Written Addiction 