Antaean

In Greek mythology, Antaeus was the son of Poseidon and Gaia.  He could never be defeated in wrestling because every time he was thrown to the ground, contact with his mother, the earth, revitalized him.  (Heracles was the one who finally defeated him when he figured out that he had to lift Antaeus off the ground and was then able to crush him to death in his arms.)

Sometimes, I wish I could “just stay down” and let myself be utterly defeated.  But, for good or ill, there’s something Antaean about my ability to bounce back from despair, no matter how many times I’m thrown down.