The very nature of life is that of struggle. From the moment we take our first breath until the day we take our last, our lives are locked in a series of constant and ongoing battles, battles against ourselves, the world and even each other.
Conflict is perhaps the most universal thing in life. Adversity and challenge are two concepts that everyone, from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor can understand. Even though the nature of the battles and the way the world views them can change, we all know what it's like to struggle, to fight and to suffer for it.
We can't avoid this horrible twist of life, nor can we hope to conquer it since it waits for us equally at the top of every hill the same as it does in the darkest part of our valleys.
But the key to life is not to avoid struggle, nor is it to conquer it at every turn. Rather, it's to turn it around and make it into something positive, to turn the energy of our battles into something beautiful, something wonderful. That's a kind of success even the wealthiest of men can't imagine and it's the only way to temporarily abate the turmoil within.
Because the only alternative to letting the constant struggle of life wear you down until it buries you, both literally and figuratively, is to take that neverending flame and let it warm the world around you.
It may not make your own demons any easier to quell, it might not make your life any simpler, but it does make the world around you a better place and it does give your energy some place to go other than back into the constant erosion of the spirit.
If everyone did this, tried to exorcise their demons by turning them into something productive, even beautiful, the world would be a much easier place. If we all understood the nature of life and worked with it, not against it, then we could change it and create a world where everyone was able to struggle just a little bit less and lived a little bit more.
And that's why I'm here. Not because I beat my demons and left them behind, but because I continue to fight them and I want my struggle with them to be productive, to mean more than just another way to pass time between sleepless nights. I don't want to change the world, in the ultimate act of reversal and revenge, I want my demons to do it for me.
Because even though my struggle, like everyone else's, is never ending. That force, that unlimited kinetic energy, has been turned from the very thing that was killing me to the greatest power I ever knew.
And if I can make the world see that, then I will have done more than I ever could have imagined to change the world. I will have lived every dream I ever had and conquered every fear I ever held.
That's no small task, but the rewards are equally inspiring.
But… you don't go insane that way? That's no fun.
I understand and agree and feel that this is one of your best rants because it sheaded a light on on of the most ongoing problems in the world. Pluse it seems to help those who do not understand. Keep on writeing…..
i'm really tired as i type this, so if i make a fool of myself, forgive me..
anyway, i understood where you were coming from in the sense that everyone has their struggles and that they "should" try to turn them around and make their negative energies into positive ones, but you weren't clear on the "how". i know you're not writing a self-help novel or trying to teach us how to live, but if you're going to try to make a point, i'd think that examples would make that point more… reliable, or stable. easier to get ahold of, i guess.. but hell, i'm half-dead with sleep and i'm not all that smart as it is.. on a simpler note: good rant…
I believe that want you are saying is very true and very real. Although the struggle of life is neverending, there is a way to make it easier. You being able to put that in words and say it in a way that is comprehensible, is very admiring.
yes , when you write dont just think about who what when and where , but the = who what when where + how
A conscious attempt to understand oneself and
" we " as human beings. This is very reflective , So therefore , It is good. A lot of information pours out of you , That last line in itself is I believe where you put everything together nicely.
Change will never be a small task and that's why people are nearly impossible to get to see the truth. Whatever that truth may be.
Peace goes forth ,
The moth of endothelioma
i like this a lot to the point that you turn everthing in to something positive. i don't mean at all that i don't like it after that its just that i have been for a long time trying to do just that change everything in to some thing good but i have yet to dicover how!! so if any one who reads this and has learned this such mystrious secret please help me out. i really like this site please never give up on it.
This could not have come at a better time, Raven. I miss talking to you, I hope you come on soon as you're able. I'm struggling right now, but a lot of things have changed, some for good, some for bad. 🙂 Thank you for inspiring me with this piece. I love it.
I wish I could make my friends read this. It's really inspirational. My friends think it's the luck of the draw: some people got it easy, some people don't.
It's been awhile since I've been here, but I draw strength and inspiration from your writings. I feel I've found a kindred spirit in you. I may yet conquer my writer's block. Perhaps I could follow your example and my inner demons could become my muse. I'm grateful for your wisdom, Raven. I'm glad you have the courage to share your gift with the pen with the rest of the world. I only hope that someday I can do the same; I know I'm good at writing, I just have to learn how to use my talents well, I suppose. You are living proof that the pen (or in this case, the keyboard) is truly mightier than the sword. Keep writing! Much love to you!–
Lady Ravana