“And why do we fall, Bruce? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.” ~ Thomas Wayne

Failure. Setbacks. Disappointment. It’s all as much a part of our lives as triumph, accomplishment, even victory—it’s just not as welcomed. Yet, there are those who say, “you cannot enjoy real success without having suffered defeat,” just like it is said, “one cannot truly learn to love without also having endured heartache.” Trite maybe, but true.

I have never been one to give up, or be hindered by obstacles … I, like most lowly mortals, have been dealt my fair share of gloom and have had moments where I had to choose between dusting myself off, standing back up and trying again or accepting the agony of defeat and crawling into a corner to cry my eyes out. And most times, even the ones where I allow myself a few hours (or even days) in the rabbit hole, most of the time I have been able to kinder a new spirit, shall we say, and forge forward with determination and strength of mind. Admittedly, some of those times took longer than others, but still … I have always been a fighter …

Yes, there are times where an empty corner, a bottle of wine and a box of Kleenex call my name like the sirens beckoned to Odysseus. And, like the ancient Greek King, I was unable to resist. And there are times when even I end up playing Russian Roulette with the devil … and yesterday, hell this entire week (month?) I’ve been teetering on the ledge. Almost as if he’s given me an invitation to dance and I keep vacillating with my response. Should I go? Should I stay? What should I wear?

So what’s wrong? Eh. It doesn’t really matter what’s wrong. It doesn’t matter what’s sidelined me or has me so twisted that I may have contemplated throwing in the towel. It doesn’t matter because, like I said … I am a fighter. And today is another day. And no matter how horrible yesterday may have seemed, at some point it will get better … don’t believe me? Then start writing about your bad days and in a few years, when you look back at them you’ll understand … hell, just ask Batman.

So why do we fall? Who knows. But at least I have something to write about.