We All have Battles that we are Engaged In.
To be Engaged in a Battle...
A Conflict...
A Struggle...
This is what Defines a Warrior.
There are Many Battles in our Lives that we can be Engaged In.
They may be External Battles.
They may be Internal Battles.
In all Likelihood, You will be Engaged in Both Types.
If Not Now, then at Some Point.
Often, one Form of Battle will Fuel into Another Form of Battle.
Now, it is common to Hear the Phrase, "You're Fighting the Good Fight."
It is meant to be Words of Encouragement.
Yet, they can fall flat sometimes.
I get it.
I've both "Said" these words, and had them "Said" to me.
They can Feel Amazing at times.
Exactly what's Needed.
At other times they Feel Empty.
When we are in the Thick of the Battle, it can be Hard.
It "Is" Difficult.
The Odds Feel Against Us.
We Doubt Ourselves.
Is it Worth It?
Will Anyone Hear Me?
Will My Battle Mean Anything?
The Battle is often enough to make Anyone want to Quit.
Perhaps many will.
But "Should" You Quit?
Maybe.
It Depends on the Battle.
I Believe most people Quit Battles they Shouldn't.
But Not All Battles Are Worth Fighting.
How Do You Determine?
Let me Pose a Different Question.
Is It a Battle Worth Losing?
I am Not asking this in a Defeatist Way.
The Goal Should "Never" be to Lose, and if it "Is" then you Might be Fighting the Wrong Battle.
When I ask this, I am asking it from the Perspective of "Fully" Understanding the Battle.
"Knowing" What is at Stake.
"If" You Were to Lose, Would it Have Been Worth It?
"If" You Knew You Would Lose "Every" Time, Would You Fight Still?
"If" you were on your Knees, looking up at the Opponent You Faced, and they Ended It All There...
Would You Regret Your Decision to Fight?
Or Would You Choose to Battle?
Again?
And Again?
And Again?
Would Your Dying Breath Be, "I Have No Regrets"?
Is the Battle Worth Losing?
Maybe It Is.
Maybe It Is Not.
I am Unable to make the Determination for You.
But this is what I Understand.
It is Fairly Easy to be in a Battle You'll Know You Will Win.
But Often, these Battles are Also "Not Worth" Fighting.
Sometimes, Fighting that Battle is actually "Detrimental".
Look at Burnout.
In Burnout, Our Bodies are "Literally" Tearing themselves Apart.
Is the Battle that Causes that "Worth" Fighting?
Usually that Battle Provides "Something".
Often a Paycheck.
But is the Money "Worth" it if it Kills You?
I think Not.
Maybe I'm Wrong.
80% Of People Are In Burnout, Dying for a Battle They Do Not Believe In.
I Believe You are Far More Valuable than that.
It is Your Call though.
I think there are Better Battles to Fight.
To Dedicate Ourselves To.
To Die For.
There's Another Thing to Consider with this Question.
If You Believe the Battle is Worth Losing, It Will Be Difficult to Beat You.
When Someone is All In...
When they Know They Will Fight to the Last Moment...
When they Won't Quit Until They Are Dead...
They are also More Committed than Nearly Anyone Else.
Commitment is Key.
Most People are Not Committed.
Not Dedicated.
Not Willing to Put Everything on the Line.
When they Are...
They are Dangerous.
They are Powerful.
They Become Unconquerable.
I have a Phrase I Use in my Life.
Percusus Resurgo, Invictus, Amor Fati.
Stricken, I Rise.
Unconquerable.
Loving Fate.
This is how I approach the Battle.
If I am Struck, I get Back Up.
I am Unconquerable because I Fight Battles Worth Losing.
If Fate decides I Die Today, then I Love that I Fought.
How Do You Beat That?
There is a Reason that Martyrs tend to become "More" Powerful in Death.
That Level of Dedication is Inspiring.
Few "Truly" Have It.
When they Do, They Shine.
So What Battles Are You Fighting?
Are Those Battles Worth Losing?