The Fight

How do you know when fighting for something you care desperately about becomes harmful to yourself?

It probably seems like an odd question, but its been on my mind lately. I mean, there's that cliche that everything worth having needs to be fought for, but should you continue when you've fought so long and hard that there's no hilt left on your sword and every swing, every lunge, every parry causes your hand to slip off the relative safety of the handle so you cut yourself on the blade? How long can you continue fighting as the essence of  who you are bleeds out onto the battle ground? Is it better to fight to the death for someone or something you believe in, or is it better to endure the loss of someone or something you love? You'll forever carry that emptiness, but is the point that you're alive?

Maybe when the person, or cause you're fighting for is always appreciative its worth wasting away until there's nothing left of you, until you're completely spent on the battle field. But what if its not? Or even more complicated, what if it is and no longer shows it?

Appreciation can be like a soothing balm. Even though there's no hilt on the sword you are using to wage your battle, appreciation can heal each cut in the last moments before you start to bleed. When the appreciation is gone though, you're just a lone knight out on a vast battlefield, fighting with all you have for the thing or person you hold most dear. Even a knight, shining armor and all needs solace, support and love. Without it, regardless of their hopes, dreams and intentions, they could be fighting a battle that they simply cannot hope to win.