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Warrior Spirit

Looking through the window of my daughter’s home, the Pacific Northwest creeps into the morning light. The snowy mountains emerge, differentiating themselves from the flat surface of the slate grey, Lake Whatcom in the foreground. So far from home I am this morning.

So close to my heart.

My present “read,” is Margaret Wheatley’s new book*, “So Far From Home – Lost and Found in Our Brave New World.” She is a writer, teacher and speaker with a global perspective and wisdom that guides one to act locally.

Wheatley’s writing has inspired me for years and her latest continues that movement. The book’s dedication is: “For all of us who aspire to be warriors for the human spirit, and for those whose needs and suffering summon us to be brave.”

It takes a lot of bravery to be a warrior for the human spirit.

Last week, back in my own home, I checked in with a friend on Facebook. Two minutes prior she posted an alarm that while walking her dog before bed, she stumbled across some individuals who just completed shoveling an enormous swastika on our neighborhood pond…the hate symbol was more than 100 feet in diameter!  She called the police.

Stunned, I posted back the following: “This is our hood. We will not stand down for hate and will stand up for peace. Tomorrow morning, I’ll bring my shovel and my granddaughter and we’ll get rid of it.” 

Almost immediately, another neighbor posted an offer to help. I was elated and then I became scared.  Really scared.  Through the power of the Net, I had not only spoken out about my unwillingness to let this bald offense exist in my neighborhood, I had informed the culprits that I would be out there shoveling in the morning. Gulp! Sleep did not come easily that night.

Daylight helps courage awaken. So does the energy of a feisty two-year old.  I bundled up my granddaughter, grabbed my shovel, and headed to the pond with her in tow on the sled. 

The pond was deserted except for the hate symbol slowing dissolving through the ice. (The police had sprinkled a de-icer on it.) 

The Facebook neighbor had other plans for the day. The hate mongers of the previous night were probably sleeping it off.  We were alone. I was relieved.

Shoveling began. My granddaughter thought it a game, chasing behind me in the circle while I slowly broke the crusty snow into a Peace symbol.  This was going to take some time!

With one eye on my young charge and the other on the emerging pattern, I reflected upon how much energy gets wasted and how hard those who spread hate have to work to scare others.

I think it is in direct correlation to how hard peacemakers throughout the globe have to work to create a world that reveals justice and compassion and an unwillingness to bend to intimidation whether its verbal, emotional, visual, or physical. 

As Wheatley says, it takes a warrior spirit to stand up for the human spirit. This is not to be mistaken for a gun in hand, rocket launcher on the shoulder warrior. It is the heart warrior; one who is armed with nothing more than heart knowledge that working for peace in our homes, our neighborhoods and our world takes courage.

And, sometimes a shovel.

 Peacebeinall,  Jane

*Find this book, and more, at Berrett-Koehler Publishers - A community dedicated to creating a world that works for all. Berrett-Koehler Publishers