Pitfalls
Again, another two three weeks has zipped by between posts, even after I set myself up to continue the ideas set forth in my last post. One thing I’ve been trying very hard to do, is to start my week off with a BANG! By getting as much work done as I can in the beginning, I hoped I might have a bit more free time at the end of the week to focus on my own projects, like this blog and my own writing and heck, maybe even get back into taking the yoga classes I used to be so fond of.
A funny thing has happened along the way to accomplishing that. Well maybe not funny…I always try to find the humour in life’s pitfalls, but I have to admit that I’m drawing on the dregs of my normally optimistic view of life lately. The cracks in my rose-tinted glasses have been showing for a while and it’s been a challenge to navigate the fractured path I’ve been running down. I’ve never run a marathon physically, but I think I can certainly qualify for running one emotionally and mentally and as any athlete well knows, to stumble is to come face-to-face with your limits, but with proper training that is the threshold you face down with determination and push through to the other side towards victory. To fall though, is to invite disaster. Whether it be the minor pain of scraped knees or a more serious injury that is potentially career ending.
Because I’m fascinated by the saying: “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” Why are some of us able to endure an endless obstacle course of pitfalls, where others stumble and falter? Where do some us find the courage and resilience to get back up and keep going where others give up, or break under the pressure. I find this question of inner strength especially intriguing when it comes to the characters in the stories we tell. Let’s face it, most authors LOVE throwing an endless barrage of life-altering challenges at our characters — conflict makes for a compelling story. I readily admit that I have a hard time caring for a protagonist if I don’t get to see him vulnerable, break down and cry, or bleed a little.
However, if I were to look at my current spot where I’ve stumbled and fallen, I’d be saying to the author of my struggle: “Enough! I’ve had enough and I need a break, something positive, some sort of win to buoy me right now.”
I’ve been saying this for a while now. But here’s the thing: I am the author of my own story, right? So it’s up to me to create my own break in the tension, to give myself the much needed respite to reassemble my resources, rest and recharge before sallying forth for yet another battle. And is it not also me that decides whether this is a war to be fought or an adventure to be enjoyed? You bet!
What hero hasn’t gotten to the end of a long arduous quest, only to realize that it was all an elaborate way for them to see they had what it takes to win the day all along, only they were unable to see that strength until after experiencing the whole ordeal of self-discovery.
I guess that’s what makes for an inspiring climax, a triumphant end to a story that keeps us coming back and wanting more.
Jeff Harrison
Jeff Harrison 