Just Keep Swinging
“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.”
~ Vincent van Gogh
Life is a nonstop battle. From the moment you enter this world through birth until the day you take your last breath. The adversaries may change, but the fight is always present. There are steps, stages, & degrees to each evolutionary stage where growth & struggle tend to go hand-in-hand. It begins with motor skill development. Learning to crawl & walk. Learning to talk & read. Our observational skills act as a sponge…absorbing the world around us. Our families & the culture we’re born into influence our personalities. Our personal development determines the strength of our heart posture. Our heart posture will not only determine how we see the world…it will determine how the world sees us.
“Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place—that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have the perseverance to realize the great life.” ~ A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
For many, the first set of handcuffs placed on our spirits takes place during childhood. Rarely are people allowed to develop their true nature. From an early stage we’re expected to conform to the cultural expectations & societal norms of our family, as well as the restrictions being enforced within the school system. The freedom to think independently & explore our own individual interests is quickly taken from us once the indoctrination process begins. Conformity is not only expected in school, but harshly enforced, and this is the beginning of a lifelong struggle for many. Ineffective one-size-fits-all teaching methods soon lead to the application of labels such as ADHD on children who were thriving before entering the school system. The inability to adjust can potentially lead to a multitude of childhood struggles. Struggles that eventually overlap into adulthood as you’re now forced to earn a living from an educational system that may have never met your individual learning needs. This will have an effect on your entire life if you allow it. You must decide to overcome this conditional programming if you want to become the person you were designed to be. It won’t be easy, for anything worth having requires determination & grit, but you were built for the fight.
“The greatest fight is when you are fighting in the smoke and cannot see with your eyes.” ~ Mark Helprin
When you’ve spent most of your childhood being forced to bend to the will of others, when you’re finally free from the confines of societal expectations, it can be difficult to know exactly where you got off track. All you’ll know is something doesn’t feel right. The enemy to your true self is there, but it’s difficult to see through the smoke of who you were told to be. It can be difficult to fight through the smoke of the past, so you must turn your attention towards the future. Clarity will come when you decide what you want your future to look like, and then take the necessary steps to make it a reality. You can try to understand your past, but don’t get so lost in what was that you lose focus on what can be. Whether or not you feel victimized…the fight never stops. Spending too much time dwelling in the smoke of the past will prove detrimental to your progress.
“Life is about how much you can take and keep fighting, how much you can suffer and keep moving forward.” ~ Anderson Silva
As long as you’re above ground you will be tested. The battle never ends. You will be punched in the gut…both emotionally & physically. The key is to keep pushing forward despite the pain. You must decide if you’re going to play the victim & give up…or take the hand you’ve been dealt & find a way to make it work for you. Never allow self-imposed limitations / excuses to stifle your growth. You must choose to fight your way through to overcome the past & build a better future. Focus your energy on the way forward. The battle for what you truly desire is going to require everything you have within you. You’re a limited resource, so be sure you’re using your resources to pave the way towards the future of your dreams. No, you won’t win every battle…but you will win in the end. Just keep swinging.
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