We're Heroes, You Know.
Nine days into the new year and it begins with the subtlety of an artillery strike. 3 of my friends have been laid off in the past two weeks, 2 have had their hearts ripped out, and 1 is being forced out of his home.
Uhm…Happy New Year?
Okay. So things for bad for many. To say people are “vexed” would be to put it mildly. And to casually dismiss the troubles that many are facing would be outright insulting. But in all honesty, I have faith that all of us will prevail.
In a thousand other personas, we have fought dragons and battled in space. We have dueled samurai and slain undead fiends. We have healed the sick and confronted abominations. We have wrestled with gods and saved the world more times than we can count. And in the face of a myriad of challenges, we carried on, because that’s what we do.
Of course this arena is different. This is no game, and it is real pain you feel in this life. No simulation, the stakes are all too high. We play for keeps, with no prayer of rerolling what we botch. Fail that saving throw, and it will cost you your health, your wealth, your home, your love, or your life. And yet, we carry on, because That’s What We Do.
No knight am I. I wear a suit made of cotton instead of a suit of plate mail. I carry not a magic sword, but a laptop. And yet, my battles today require far more courage than my imagined struggles against Demogorgan or any Great Old One. So too is it true of all of us. We cannot shoot fireballs from our fingertips, read the minds of our adversaries, or make mountains crumble before our will. We are but mundane adventurers on a journey far larger and far more difficult than any tale we’ve read or game we’ve played. And to continue on our paths without anything but courage makes us even more heroic than our alter-ego avatars.
Our trials will vary, but each one of us will encounter challenges that seem overwhelming at some point. We travel through deserts seeking oases; we slog through swamps seeking respite; we climb over mountains seeking transcendence. And through our travails, we suffer. And bleed. And fear. And despair. And weep.
And then we triumph.
Yes, this year isn’t starting well for many, but this is not a year that will be devoid of blessings. Weddings and children will arrive soon, bringing joy and light to a year that seems to begin in utter pitch for many. I know things may look bleak, but perseverance will help you prevail to see the good times return.
My favorite axiom in any language is “Nana korobi ya oki.” In Japanese, it means “Fall seven times, stand eight.” I find it remarkable that in four Japanese words, there is all the knowledge that one needs to triumph over any form of adversity. Yes, it is hard, but you possess the strength to endure this latest crisis, and emerge even stronger than before. If it were easy, our future victories would not be so precious. And yes, they will be very precious indeed.
Once more onto the breach, dear friends.
Once more.