Keep Swinging

You know, sports analogies and anecdotes are a dime a dozen, but I think the reason for that is because they’re so applicable to the struggle that is the day-to-day for most people. As I’ve grown older, my interest in sports has dwindled a bit, replaced by a yearning for things that are more pertinent, more necessary to life. Still, those old analogies remain. Lately I’ve been feeling down and out, like a grizzled fighter just trying to survive the round against a stronger, faster, younger opponent. Sometimes it feels like you’re on your last legs, and you’re getting hit in the face no matter where you turn. At that point, it’s easy to lose heart, it’s easy to lose hope. The thing that most any fighter will tell you though, is that’s when it’s most important not to, because the minute you’ve done that is the minute you’ve lost, and when it comes to the game of life, that’s something you just can’t afford to do. It’s at that point, when you don’t know what to do, and when all things seem lost, that you have to pull something from deep within yourself and just give it everything you’ve got. From a defensive point of view, it makes you vulnerable, it’s a risk, but that’s what you have to do to fight. There’s nothing in life worth having that doesn’t involve risk. It could backfire, and you could get hit some more, but that’s going to happen anyways. You can either choose to fight back, with all your heart, with everything you’ve got, or give up and be down for the count. People do this in a lot of ways, staying in dead-end jobs, staying in unhappy relationships, giving up on hopes and dreams, becoming complacent and just coming to the conclusion that "this is life, it’s not going to get any better." All of the things I just mentioned are things I’ve done in the past, and things I struggle with every day. More often than not, I get pummelled and feel like giving up, but I know I can’t. If I give up, I’m as good as dead. I won’t be good to anyone, not myself, not my family, not my friends.

I intend to keep swinging, to keep fighting. I might get hit, I might get knocked down, and when you look at me, I might be bloody and bruised, but I’m not giving up. If it looks like I’m on my last legs, don’t worry about me, cheer for me, because chances are, life just gave me another devastating combination, but I’m up, on my feet, looking life (and death) in the face and asking "Was that the best you’ve got? Is that it?" Cheer me on people, because I’m going to need it. One of the things that will make a person give up the fastest is when they feel alone and forgotten. There’s nothing quite as comforting, and frankly, inspiring, than knowing that you have people behind you that care and who want to see you coming out on top. If you’re there for the people you care about, cheering them on, and supporting them, at worst you’ll help them get back on their feet, and at best, they’ll come out on top. Keep swinging people, because it’s never too late to turn the fight around, it’s never too late to get to where you need to be.

The fact is that I’m writing this as much for myself as I am for anyone else (some of you out there might need it too though...I know a lot of you well enough to know that). Life has been coming at me fast and furiously lately and I feel bloodied, bruised, even a little bit numb. I’ve been dealing with things the wrong way, and I need to make some changes, especially with how I react emotionally to things. Sometimes I feel worried, confused, and more than anything, just plain anxious. Sometimes it just feels like my heart is being pricked by a hundred needles. For those of you who’ve been there for me over the years, who’ve seen me at my worst, and who’ll be there to see me at my best, you’ve got my thanks, my gratitude and my friendship to the end. You’re the people who keep me moving forward, even when my heart feels it can’t go another round. Thanks for keeping me headed in the right direction when life has me seeing triple. If you need me, know I’ve got your back...

I’ll end this with a quote, fittingly enough from Rocky Balboa...

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!"