Between Maps and Meaning

For some of us in this life everyday is a battle. A battle to be motivated, a battle to be do right, a battle to even just get out of bed. Some of us have the tools and the mindset to win that battle most days, while other of us are not equipped for this war. I find myself somewhere in the middle. I am both more prepared than some but less than others. I do know there’s ways to increase the endurance to fight and win. I hope the quotes below help you in your battles. I hope it gives you the endurance to win the war.

Part 1 “The enemy of man is thinking”
This is a quote and it could be from a book, a movie, maybe some famous philosopher, but I heard it from a podcast long ago. I’ve kept it in my mind ever since. Being a self proclaimed over analyzer you can bet I’ve found times in my life that I was overthinking. To the point I would go to bed knowing it would be a sleepless night. Knowing that I’d lie awake and greet the sun as if I’m some motivated 5am riser. The truth is there is no perfect answer to shutting off our minds. It takes time and discipline to become the master of your mind. One thing that helped me immensely was taking to the pen. Well, these days a little bit of the pen and a little bit of the keyboard. Taking a moment before bed to write all the thoughts out helped to quiet them. Truthfully we should not hide from our problems, but there’s a time and a place. Right before bed… is not the time or the place. I encourage us to not accept sleepless nights. I encourage myself, and my few readers to not accept overthinking. Let us be of clear minds going forward.

Part 2 “Nothing good happens on the couch”
Again, pulled from a podcast I watched many years ago. We should not seek comfort. I can no longer in my life nap. I can not come home from work anymore to lay down. I refuse to “recover” from the week isolated in my bed rotting away. Let us have adventure! Why stop for that easy drive thru meal on your way home from work. Just because it’s convenient. Stop at that place you’ve been wanting to try, or find a place on a whim that you suddenly need to try. Don’t let the world destroy our creativity and sense adventure with its dull gray solutions to our busy schedules. Don’t let the world exhaust you to the point you forget to live. Our ancestors saw their world and experienced what it had to offer. Don’t waste away in your room. Fight the tiredness and comeback to the color of the world. Nothing good happens on the couch so get up and get out. Walk in the park, visit a friend, get the food for here not to go… Remember you’re here to live.

Part 3 “It’s fighting, you get hit” – Nick Diaz
A quote from a fighter, I figure we must have a fighters quote represented if we are going to discuss winning the war. This is a war, and it’s a daily battle. As a Christian it is a spiritual battle, but I’m no fool. I can recognize the literal battle. Remember in fighting you sometimes get hit. It’s ok, that was supposed to happen. Take the punches, and remember you can punch back.

Part 4 “The whole world is in chess. Any move can be the death of you. Do anything except remain where you started, and you can’t be sure of your end… When you stand before God, you cannot say, ‘But I was told by others to do thus,’ or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice” – Kingdom of Heaven
Life is uncertain. What happens to us is directly in our hands. Not in the circumstances we face but in how we react to them. In my life, I’ve only been shocked ever 4 times. The death of my grandfather, the loss of two friends, and the breakup with someone I loved. All times I did not react in a way that was righteous. “This will not suffice.” This war isn’t about us being some unbeatable unit. This war is about losing some battles honorably. I hope for whatever days I have left that I seek the road of virtue and honor.

Part 5 “Can’t Win ‘Em All” – Nacho Libre
Bet you did not expect to see a Nacho Libre quotes here. Truth be told you’re going to lose. Sometimes you will lose for days and weeks in a row. Don’t let the sickness of defeat enter your heart. Just as you can lose any day remember that you can win any day. Have the confidence and the swagger to know that winning isn’t far behind.

Goodluck with the war, I’m praying for you all.