Puffing up my chest...

Don't give up. Don't falter and succumb to pain. Power through. Life is not coming at you, it is coming from you. Chase it. Take a step back and listen more closely to the sound of your beating heart. You are alive, and that in itself is a miracle. You can do this. She still believes in you.

This was the desert, everything all at once, whether it was needed or not. What survived had learned to save, live carefully, and keep a low profile, even appear to be dead for long periods. Perseverance and patience. You go on. You just go on. Even if you feel like your legs are about to shatter, and your sight is completely dimmed by the scorching sun. Go on. There's nothing more to it, and there's no trick to make it easier. You just go on. And what do you find on the other side? When you go on? Your life again. What else?