Yes, the last few days have been ROUGH. That said, I’m here and I’m still sober! I have an experience I’d like to share with the community…
I recently dealt with a traumatic and absolutely excruciating break up. It drove me to the brink of suicide. However, while I was teetering on that edge, something in me snapped. Why was I living for others, as opposed to for myself? Why was I deriving my self-worth based on how others perceived me? I mean… ultimately, all that I know, can know, and will ever know is MY singular window of consciousness. At the end of the day, the only person I TRULY live with is myself. So shouldn’t I dictate how I feel? Shouldn’t I dictate my self worth? Shouldn’t I dictate the course of my life? Yes. Yes, indeed. That psychological break made me realize that I couldn’t continue living this way - literally, as I was on the verge of suicide, but also figuratively, in that I knew needed positive change.
I found a nice analogy for this in the context of games…
I am the main character. And I always will be the main character, just like YOU are the main character of your story. After all, I can’t pull my consciousness out and stick it into any other mind, body, time, or place. So frankly, f*ck everyone else… Screw anyone that’s in my way… Why tolerate an impediment to my personal happiness and growth? No way. As the main character of my life, I will CHOOSE to move on, I will CHOOSE to not let detractors into my story, and I will CHOOSE the path my life takes. Our time on this earth is temporary and short lived. We get ONE play through of the game. And only one! So to not grab the bull by the horns, to not grab the wheel and steer the ship to the destination of your choosing, would be to waste your one and only token at the arcade. That won’t happen to me. I am going to actively and passionately play the game, and am aiming to post on the high score leaderboard.
I hope you join me in multiplayer. 
