I open my
eyes, barely able to stand and gasping for breath. My legs are weak and shaking
and my arms hang lifelessly by my side. Everywhere hurts. There are many people
around me but I am alone. I don’t see or notice these people. I am in my own
world; a somewhat distorted version of reality. The sweat is dripping down my
face as I gaze up towards the ceiling wondering how I found myself in this
situation. I’m battered and bruised and to be honest, I’m not quite sure I’ll survive
this.
After a few
more deep breaths my mind focuses on the situation at hand. I remember why I’m
here and what I have to do. A dark force looms over me as if nature knows what’s
happening and its trying to make it even more difficult for me to complete my
objective.
I’ve failed
many times in the past, but not this time! This is where I give the
metaphorical finger to anyone and anything that tries to get between me and my
goal. These obstacles have a fake appearance. They try to appear more
intimidating then they already are, but I’m on to their game! I know deep
inside that these obstacles are weaker than they appear and I will crush them
into dust!
What has
only been a few minutes has felt like a lifetime. But already I must push on.
There no time for rest where I am. Rest doesn’t get you anywhere. This is a
mental barrier that I must cross to get where I want to be. Not many people
will ever be able to cross this barrier as they are still too scared of the
obstacles in their way. They have no drive and determination and that is why
they will be stuck, constantly spinning their wheels but going nowhere
I turn
around and look in the mirror, peering in to see the reflection of myself. I
look angry, but focused; tired, but determined; in pain, but motivated.
I squat
down and grab my weapon. I will use this weapon to fight through the obstacles
and become successful in my goal. This weapon shall make me a better person
both mentally and physically, however... This weapon comes with a catch. There is
a price to pay for using it and you should not underestimate its power. It will
quite literally make you or break you. The worst thing about this weapon is
that it also one of my obstacles! It keeps me from completing my objective yet
at the very same time, I need it to reach my objective. The more I think about
that concept the scarier it becomes... But there is no time for fear here. Fear
will get you killed in this game, I must block out the fear and concentrate.
Still
squatting, I grip my weapon tightly. The chalk fragments fall from my hands and
flutter away into the air and toward the ground like a snow globe. This is the
calm before the storm, but don’t let it fool you... Shit’s about to get crazy!
I get into
position and see myself squatting down, griping my weapon and staring back at
myself again and I can’t help but smile. I’ve been through hell and am still
there but I smile anyway, because in some strange way, I’m enjoying this. With
my grip firm and my body in place I prepare for my attack. This is it, no going
back now! I take a few seconds to calm myself and empty my mind whilst still
concentrating. I take one last deep breath... And pull!
(Inspired by Jon North).
