Though taking one blow after another is often mistaken as resilience I have come to realize that many times it also is a form of cowardice. Instead of stopping to face the real monster behind all the troubles that keeps bopping us on the head like snowballs we hunch our shoulders and steadfastly plod on trying to get to our goals. Now I have no problem about being steadfast and resilient. It is a good trait. But when was the last time you took a look around, faced the monster, and went for it? If I were to be honest I would say I couldn't even remember when I did that. Oh I do take a look around, pin point several monsters and squish the little irritating ones when they are within my reach. But when I see big ones I do what many people do - I shrug and say something to the effect that this is life..blah blah blah. I just have to make do with what I have...blah blah blah. It is just more convenient and less scary to face the real monsters. After all what if the monster ends up being stronger than we are? What good will it do facing something that seems unbeatable?Here's what you'll find when you do face monsters:
- You will find that most monster are smaller and easier to squish once you actually go out of your way to fight them. Problem(s) solved.
- You will find that the hard road called life will be a little easier to travel with monsters out of the way.
- You will find that though there are really big monsters that will leave you bruised and bloodied in the end you will still heal and know that you are stronger in the end.
- By removing the big monster you will have done not only yourself, but also those whose lives are touched by that monster, a big favor.
- You will find that when you meet a monster you cannot possibly win a fight against, if you just continue the fight and raise your voice for help, there will be people to help you win the battle.
- You will find that what you thought was time wasted on stopping to fight your monsters is actually much much less than the time you will have spent crying in the end because of all the headaches too much snowballs have lent you. It might even save your life!
- You will find that fighting those battles is part of what life is all about.
So this is what it comes to. I have been taking a good hard look at my life. I am not yet done taking a good hard look at it. It is a difficult thing to do. Facing the truth. It's so hard it brings out all the monsters from wherever they are hiding. This time I know I can't fight them all at the same time. And this time I have been raising my voice for help while squishing the smaller ones as I go deeper into monster land. Hopefully, when I come out I'll be bloodied but the path will be clearer for me and for those who walk life with me...my husband and my son. I cannot tackle their personal monsters but at least I can tackle mine and prevent those from affecting their lives.
How about you? Will you try to be brave enough the monsters in your life? If you can't call me. Email me. I'm willing to be scared with you until you feel brave enough to take a small peek and squish the smallest one you can.
To all those who have helped me fight, are helping me fight, or just was plained scared with me each time I needed to face a monster. Thank you. There are still lots of monsters on their way I feel a little safer because I know I can depend on you. You know who you are.
*****
I was thinking of placing a kick ass monster image here but I need to ask permission from Ruben de Vela. To the few who doesn't know Ruben he is a friend and one of the greatest artists out there. Do visit his page! I will be emailing him to ask for permission to post some of his works here. In the meantime make do with the monsters I found at Wikimedia Commons. ^_^
Image details:
Title: Loch Ness Monster (oilpainting)
Artist: Hugo Josef Heikenwaelder, Austria
5 comments:
Well-written and said!
IMO, a game without monsters would be boring; it's the same with life, I guess.
Drawing on Celedor's analogy, in games, there are always ways to beat those monsters. You only have to find them.
Don't worry, we'll find them one monster at a time...Death to our Monsters! ;)
a quip from my favorite poet:
Letter Eight
Borgeby gard, Fladie, Sweden
August 12, 1904
... How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at the beginning of all races, the myths about dragons that at the last moment are transformed into princesses? Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
So you mustn't be frightened, dear Mr. Kappus, if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety, like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and over everything you do. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall...
Cel and Ate - Of course, how could I have forgotten all those games. As long as they're turn based I'm ok but i do freeze up with real time games. LOL. Now I see why i do the same thing in real life. Oh wait... it's the reverse... I freeze up in real life...that's why I can only play turn-based games. ^_^
Ariel - That quote is utterly beautiful. Rare are the words that make me tear up with their beauty. I need a copy of that poem/book (?). Searching the net for it now. You've just about ruined my productivity for the night. ^_^
Ariel - that is one moving quote...I am at work, trying to get rid of the impending cloud of sadness/helplessness that I am feeling and I saw your comment...I need to read that piece of work myself. Thanks for sharing it!
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