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<p>You’re down.  Besieged by other people, by overwhelming events. You feel low, hardly worthy of more than feeble resistance. It happens.</p>
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<p>How do we lift ourselves to a point of strength, of courage to face these onslaughts? How do we restore that sense of “devil may care” that sees us defying the forces of opposition?</p>
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<p>It has to do with risk. Of accepting it, of being willing to face the downside, should it come. The downside -- less likely to occur than it seems -- is better than the helpless sense of oppression. It’s no fun to be under someone’s thumb.</p>
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<p>Stand up and claim your small space on the planet. You deserve this space. You deserve to have your ideas heard. You deserve respect. </p>
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<p>Stand up, say to yourself — say aloud — “what the hell!”  Go forth to battle the opponents, the oppressors.  Understand the risk, accept it, and go for a better outcome than the full downside.  A better outcome than feeling under the gun all the time.  A healthier attitude toward life than one of constant defense, of continual retreat.</p>
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<p>A forward measure may not only halt this retreat.&nbsp; Such boldness is likely to block the oppressors, to capture the day, to begin a new momentum with you in the lead, rather than underfoot.</p>
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<p>It’s a fair shot to success.&nbsp; It’s a reasonable defense.&nbsp; It’s a damn site better than getting trampled.</p>
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<p>What the hell?  The Devil may care, but I do not.</p>
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