Today is my birthday. I've made it to level 56 of life. I'm not a gamer, it just sounds badass to say it that way. I have survived some rocky roads. We've all survived if we've participated in life.
Participating requires you to risk, be vulnerable, get hurt, lose love, lose loved ones, experience disappointment and failure. Participation also means you get joy, love, happiness, wins, success, peace.
Life is a balance, ying and yang, up and down, feeling in and out. We can avoid all the hurt and pain but then how would we know what joy and love really feel like? There always has to be an opposite for it all to be comprehended.
I don't mind being 56. Every level is earned, every birthday is fought for, it isn't a gift, I worked to get here, I struggled and I appreciate my struggle, as difficult as it has been.