The phrase originated in the novel Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote in his 'reality' decided that the windmills were the enemy and as a knight he needed to smote them. The phrase is sometimes used to describe confrontations where adversaries are incorrectly perceived. The phrase is sometimes used to describe courses of action that are based on misinterpreted or misapplied heroic, romantic, or idealistic justifications.

So I was thinking, what makes it necessary to defend oneself from anything? What is it in ourselves that wishes us to be 'justified' to tilt at windmills? Afterall it's our reality... what should it matter if anyone else thinks what we do is 'silly, inconsequential, wrong or just plain misdirected?'

Is it the 'ego' wishing us to stand up for ourselves? Is it our desire to 'protect' that little bit of what we see as core to our survival, i.e. if others' don't believe or validate us... we don't exist?

probably - all I know is often, I get to the point where my ideas/opinions/reality are just that... a part of my ego, that I need not protect, defend, or believe in to the point that I feel a need to assert it as superior ...

thank you for reading and it is as it is... nor more, no less.

love to everyone!