The most important of life’s battles is the one we fight daily in the silent chambers of the soul. – David O. McKay
Imagine a game of tug-of-war and the two teams consist of you. Well, what I am trying to say is, you and only you, stand alone, on both sides like a mirror reflection, of the rope and are competing against, who else but yourself! In a game of tug-of-war the opponents are being tested for strength but in this particular tug of the person, of the soul, of their ideologies it is a war of one’s strength, courage, morals, right and wrong decisions, perceptions, beliefs and everything that is important to us yet we need to decide on our own what is better, what needs to be followed, what needs to be actualized. So this is a battle of one’s self. Is it important? Do we really need it? Does it happen to all of us? Of course it does. In fact it must happen to all of us every minute or every day. After all, life is an ever-learning process. As much as it is important to speak to a close friend or family member about something that bothers us, like troubles in relationships, a loss or a crisis, or generally when our ideas, thoughts and behaviors are in conflict with others, it is more important to reflect over issues by ourselves. Sometimes it is healthy to sit in solitude and reflect over how we live life, how it affects us and others, over our plans and goals in life, over why someone would break our heart or why we would disappoint others, think over things that have made a great impact in our lives. To be able to do all that, and then move forward with things with a change within, a better understanding of things and having a more versatile approach towards life. To me that is the real great battle of the inner self, to be able to face your fears and weaknesses and coming to terms with them, eventually emerging as a person who has conquered his/her own soul!
Hafiz of Persia puts it beautifully: “I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness the astonishing light of your own being.”
In a more poetic way, I wrote 'No greater war'
Under a moonless sky, alone I delve
On thoughts I think to myself
There is no enemy nor friend
In this battle I fight within
For there are no sides to this war
It's battleground is my heart ruptured
The swords are my fears
These guns are my shortcomings
And I am the fighting soldier
My soul, my only armour!
I must have been dreaming
The moonless sky was now gleaming
Of stars bright, and a thought was fleeing
My soul, to me, was speaking ...
When the world cannot seeThrough the walls of your homeThe longing within your heart. When the world cannot see Through the broken smiles you give outThe sadness in your eyes that never parts. You are changing, you are becoming.For you are learning to face your fearsFight your weaknesses, fill the void. On your own, all aloneAnd there is no greater battle, no tougher warTo be conquered, than the one within.
