Who moved my heroine?

I write about heroism.  I write about strength and characters who are willing to give up everything for what they believe in.  I write about characters who grow from the ashes of pain and rise above it to make a difference.  But often we don’t feel as if we can do that in our real lives.  I think about the person I was twenty years ago – when I had no other option but to be strong and passionate.  I didn’t know what stability or happiness looked like.  All I knew was that I had to keep pushing. Keep climbing. Keep fighting.  I didn’t know where I was going or what I’d do when I got there.  I just knew I had to get there. 

And I did.

                I’ve enjoyed being stable and normal and blending in.  It was something I’ve never experienced before and I deserved it.  But over the last couple of weeks I’ve realized there’s a fighter inside of me that’s been hibernating.  She was so tired and so exhausted, she needed to rest.  She didn’t need to fight anymore.  But she’s never really disappeared.  Unfortunately, I’ve managed to forget just how strong she is.  I’ve forgotten how much of a difference she can make and the empowerment she gives me.  She is the only one who has the ability to fill my heart with confidence and a true purpose.  And I’ve missed her.

                Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had to dig deep and make some tough decisions.  I’ve had to re-evaluate what I believed in, what is important to me, and what is and is not worth fighting for.  And in the process I’ve resurrected the fighter in me.  When you have nothing to lose it’s easy to fight.  It’s easy to give everything inside of you.  The reward is much higher than the risk at that point. 

But what happens when you have a lot to lose?  Could you find the strength to do what’s right?  Would you be willing to lose someone or something important to you?  Standing up for what you believe and what you know is right is a lonely fight sometimes.  It’s scary.  You’ll come out on the other end with bruises, cuts, and broken bones.  But the important part is coming out on the other end.  When you are strong enough to stand on your own and show the world who you truly are and what you believe in, you will see the truth about others very quickly.  The mirror you provide others will be frightening to some, empowering to some, and downright crazy to others.

                If we aren’t passionate about something, our souls remain asleep within the cushion of comfort we surround ourselves with by following the crowd, keeping our mouths shut, and blending in.  The best thing you can do for yourself is really and truly be alive.  Awaken the real fighter in yourself and make a vow to make a difference.  When the world comes crashing down on you, it’s because you’ve decided to step out of line and stand up for something.  It means you’re doing something meaningful.  And that means you are truly a fighter.