The Upside of Falling Down

by Rebekah Crane

We never believe we’ll crash . . . until we’re falling.

No matter what people want to believe, life is locked in the past. It’s all we are—a timeline of events that make up a person.

What is the point of cheating death if a life doesn’t exist when you wake up?

Words are inadequate to explain how disorienting this feels—how the world is moving, but I’m stuck.

“If something tastes good, don’t ask what it’s made of. You might be disappointed.”

if we told the truth all the time, there would be no stories worth telling.”

When a person gets used to failure, it becomes much less scary. A person will walk into fire, knowing full well she’ll get burned, but it doesn’t hurt as much. When you’re prepared for pain, pain loses power.

“That’s the thing with fear—conquer it, and you find freedom.”

“I live in the fear. I stop fighting it, and let it wash over me.” “You’re right. I don’t like that. It sounds horrible.” “It is at first. But then it’s not so bad. Fear wants you to stay scared, Bunny. But you don’t have to give in. You don’t have to let it control you.”

“It’s the upside of falling down,” Kieran says. “It’s why you jump in the first place . . . for that moment.”

That’s the truth about lies—when they linger, they slowly trick you into believing they’re the truth.

“You can’t be overwhelmed by the what-ifs, or you’ll miss out on the best part.”

This is the upside to crashing: madly letting go and giving yourself to someone else. This is the freedom beyond the fear.

This is bliss. This is happiness. This is feeling alive. This is freedom.

Life is a collaborative effort. We can’t do it on our own.

Because that’s how memories work. They come back to you, knock you down, and beg you to surrender.

Love is never safe, but it’s the truth.

“Don’t worry,” I say. “Just when you think your life is over, a new story line falls from the sky and lands right in your lap.”