Thread by @TessFowler

Holding onto your convictions in the face of a world that opposes them is something I really wish they gave kids classes on because it's not fair. It's a soul crushing battle. I'm asked on the regular if I can advise folks on how to do it.

I dont have an answer.

I've spent my whole life fighting this one particular battle. I'm still doing it. Even now. I always will. And chances are I'll always win. But winning that battle, at least as far as I've found, means I'm on my own.

How do I advise people that alone is better?

I mean, it's better for ME. I learned that through trial and error. I'd rather be on my own than stand by while bad flourishes. I can't sleep at night otherwise. But I've known many people that can't do it.

I dont blame them. Alone is terrifying.

How do you take a stand when NOBODY will stand with you?

When the masses will punish you? Banish you? Slander your name?

That breaks the human spirit. Its SUPPOSED to.

When I've told you guys you dont have to worry about me. It's because I'll always get up. No matter how hard I'm hit. I'll get up again. I'll figure it out. I know that about me.

I just hate when I can't save others. I've lost so many.

Broken bodies and broken spirits.

I don't know how to teach you to survive. I wish I did. This world is bullshit. It's going to try to take you out. Bend you. Ruin you.

End you.

I wish I could shield every last one of you from the onslaught.

I'll tell you what I've told all my wayward ducklings.

You know the difference between right and wrong. It's in YOU. When you're quiet and the voice inside is talking, it won't lead you astray.

Outside voices WILL.

You have to cultivate the ability to hear that voice. It WILL speak to you. In times of trouble or strife especially. That's your gut.

When things don't make sense or something feels...off. Take stock. What's out of place? Where is the discordant note in the music?

The president, the media, your television, your computer, your friends, your family etc... what's out of place? What's being fed to you that isn't healthy? What isn't true?

You already know the answers to all of those questions.

YOU know.

There will always be someone with an agenda trying to tell you THEY have all the answers.

There's a hate movement in comics right now built on taking money from people in exchange for evangelized hate filled lies about the industry.

It's laughable.

But they fell for it.

What happens when everyone in your life has bought into the lie?

What happens when theres no one left to advise you?

What happens when the pressure is on for you to conform or be banished?

You say no thanks and you keep it moving.

I say that with full knowledge of how hard it is. I know.

It hurts.

It bleeds.

I fucking know.

I've bound up my own wounds and gotten up off the mat by myself many a time. I've lost a lot.

But I'm still me.

That's worth all the pain I've ever endured.

Because a couple of those lost kiddos came back. They found me after all these years.

They lived.

When I was younger I used to call it "manning the light house".

That's what this Twitter is. What my FB and Myspace used to be.

If I cleave to truth & stand my ground then maybe others who are in the throes of the storm can find their way out.

The light house is lonely.

But each boat that makes it to shore safe is worth every tear I've ever shed.

That's enough for me.

What makes the fight worth it for you?