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The Battle of Life
I don't know anyone for whom life is even close to easy. Most families I know are dealing with financial and health issues, both mental and physical. Those happy few who are currently fine-at-the-moment-thank-you in those areas, have some other odd difficulty they are struggling to overcome. I am neither unique in my difficulties, nor are mine as extremely negative as those of others.
This does not mean that my individual struggles are anything less than important. I may be less that microscopic in the greater scheme, but that doesn't mean that my existence is insignificant. Cancer starts on a molecular level and has a magnificent impact, negative in the annihilation of its host or positive in its ability to bring together in support people who were previously intolerant of one another. The case and effect of even the smallest thing has vast and various consequences. You and I are very much the same.
So although I cannot tell you exactly how my small being will impact this existence, be sure that I know that it does. Therefore, even thought my problems may be of lesser value, they are still of value. The likelihood that there is someone else experiencing similar difficulties increases with each human being. With the millions who fit into my general categories : nationality, residence, gender, and family lifestyle choices; the probability that I am not the only one affected by my perceived variables is quite high, independent of how many anecdotes I can share of individual with whom I can confirm these similarities.
I consider myself a whiny person. There always seems to be something wrong with my person. Part of the reason for this is when I do attempt to fix the cause, I create other issues, namely the inability to deny specific problems. I have two nephews that I think of when my brain returns me to this state. One has a vary similar psyche and the other has been in several battle zones including Iraq and Bosnia. I think of the soldier and the things he has seen: people struggling not only for food and shelter, but for their breath, rejoicing in each new sunrise. I think of the survivor and the things he feels: that there is no point in living a life where you hold no value, you cannot make other people live better lives, and the only thing you see is a world full of hatred and anger. They both have experienced a battlefield.
It is hard for people to understand value in an existence that places worth only on the physical. Our sciences use empirical means for proof, our societies center around careers and what materials those can achieve. Our health is established primarily through appearance. Even those who acknowledge the possibilities that there may me something beyond the physical, require control of these very personal definitions. Religion and psychiatry may not contain empirical evidence, yet people forcibly change the lives of others with reasons backed by these beliefs.
I do not think my soldier can ever really understand the battles that he cannot see. I hope he never needs to, but that does not mean that he cannot understand that they exist, and they are sometimes more difficult if only because people often value such struggle as being less worthy. I do know that my similar psyche is better equipped to deal with the disappointments of reality than I, and the moments of extremism are only shadows reaching around walls he has left behind, and I think he greets each morning with renewed hope. To me they are both great soldiers of strength and hope. I am so very proud of them both.
And I am proud of me. It may be the reverse of convention (quit laughing at that irony!) but I feel like I am the culmination of both. Because of my interactions with them, I have become better, evolving into something I could not be if I had not known them. That something is much stronger than I knew I could be. Things that once would have defeated me, now give me strength. If conquering my insignificant problem shows those sorry few who have similar struggles how to improve their condition, then I can believe in that fight. I may not have the will to fight personal battles, but I will lose valiantly for the sake of someone else. I am just a tool that accomplishes the task, a soldier sent with vague orders.
I can fight because you show me how. I can win because you are my Calvary. This fortress will hold, because I have you help me fortify
There is a difference for each of us based on our Individual Experience. What id required for my Day of Self is not the same as yours. For those who reside alone, the physical space in which you live may not be included in your needs for your Day of Self, whereas for those with specific forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may find themselves alphabetizing the pantry. Remember-each of us has specific needs.
I encourage each of you, however, to look at your Temporal World on your Day of Self. It is good for each of us to have a personal physical space, but it is also important for us to maintain that space. That space is not only what one might call our bedroom or office, but our bodies as well.
This is the day you do that extra bit of hygienic attention. From flossing your teeth for a change, to having your nails done or cleaning your room, you should establish a day to focus on the Self. This not only re-establishes your connection to the Temporal World, it allows a regularity of Survival basics that can prevent you from being one more drone so focused on survival that you disregard the world around you.
This does not mean that my individual struggles are anything less than important. I may be less that microscopic in the greater scheme, but that doesn't mean that my existence is insignificant. Cancer starts on a molecular level and has a magnificent impact, negative in the annihilation of its host or positive in its ability to bring together in support people who were previously intolerant of one another. The case and effect of even the smallest thing has vast and various consequences. You and I are very much the same.
So although I cannot tell you exactly how my small being will impact this existence, be sure that I know that it does. Therefore, even thought my problems may be of lesser value, they are still of value. The likelihood that there is someone else experiencing similar difficulties increases with each human being. With the millions who fit into my general categories : nationality, residence, gender, and family lifestyle choices; the probability that I am not the only one affected by my perceived variables is quite high, independent of how many anecdotes I can share of individual with whom I can confirm these similarities.
I consider myself a whiny person. There always seems to be something wrong with my person. Part of the reason for this is when I do attempt to fix the cause, I create other issues, namely the inability to deny specific problems. I have two nephews that I think of when my brain returns me to this state. One has a vary similar psyche and the other has been in several battle zones including Iraq and Bosnia. I think of the soldier and the things he has seen: people struggling not only for food and shelter, but for their breath, rejoicing in each new sunrise. I think of the survivor and the things he feels: that there is no point in living a life where you hold no value, you cannot make other people live better lives, and the only thing you see is a world full of hatred and anger. They both have experienced a battlefield.
It is hard for people to understand value in an existence that places worth only on the physical. Our sciences use empirical means for proof, our societies center around careers and what materials those can achieve. Our health is established primarily through appearance. Even those who acknowledge the possibilities that there may me something beyond the physical, require control of these very personal definitions. Religion and psychiatry may not contain empirical evidence, yet people forcibly change the lives of others with reasons backed by these beliefs.
I do not think my soldier can ever really understand the battles that he cannot see. I hope he never needs to, but that does not mean that he cannot understand that they exist, and they are sometimes more difficult if only because people often value such struggle as being less worthy. I do know that my similar psyche is better equipped to deal with the disappointments of reality than I, and the moments of extremism are only shadows reaching around walls he has left behind, and I think he greets each morning with renewed hope. To me they are both great soldiers of strength and hope. I am so very proud of them both.
And I am proud of me. It may be the reverse of convention (quit laughing at that irony!) but I feel like I am the culmination of both. Because of my interactions with them, I have become better, evolving into something I could not be if I had not known them. That something is much stronger than I knew I could be. Things that once would have defeated me, now give me strength. If conquering my insignificant problem shows those sorry few who have similar struggles how to improve their condition, then I can believe in that fight. I may not have the will to fight personal battles, but I will lose valiantly for the sake of someone else. I am just a tool that accomplishes the task, a soldier sent with vague orders.
I can fight because you show me how. I can win because you are my Calvary. This fortress will hold, because I have you help me fortify
There is a difference for each of us based on our Individual Experience. What id required for my Day of Self is not the same as yours. For those who reside alone, the physical space in which you live may not be included in your needs for your Day of Self, whereas for those with specific forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may find themselves alphabetizing the pantry. Remember-each of us has specific needs.
I encourage each of you, however, to look at your Temporal World on your Day of Self. It is good for each of us to have a personal physical space, but it is also important for us to maintain that space. That space is not only what one might call our bedroom or office, but our bodies as well.
This is the day you do that extra bit of hygienic attention. From flossing your teeth for a change, to having your nails done or cleaning your room, you should establish a day to focus on the Self. This not only re-establishes your connection to the Temporal World, it allows a regularity of Survival basics that can prevent you from being one more drone so focused on survival that you disregard the world around you.