In the Fray

photo by grassrootsmsw

“Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle.

Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.

Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that was not his.

Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most trivial of reasons. Every Warrior of the Light has, at least once, believed he was not a Warrior of the Light.

Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual duties.

Every Warrior of the Light has said 'yes' when he wanted to say 'no.'

Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved.

That is why he is a Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.”

Paulo Coelho

"Warriors of the Light."

Battles within and without...
testing integrity
and internal moral codes.

Trying to bend the "rules" and
change the mold of the system;
believing in the need
to bring humanity and compassion,
where it has been lost and forgotten.

Making positive and creative changes
for the needy and vulnerable;
Easing suffering...
Attempting to slowly erode
the sterile and rigid system.

The consequences of which,
threaten the long standing personnel
of the system.

"The Warrior of Light,"
in their pioneering efforts
has accentuated
the gaps and voids of the system.

The Warrior's honorable skills
shakes, rattles, and challenges
the long termers of the system.

Instead of aiming for the same heights of truth as the Warrior,
the long termers' worn down capacity
kicks against the unfamiliar...
finding any means possible
to make the need for change and progress
invisible.

The Warrior wears and carries
the scars of controversy and resistance...
still owning their mission and purpose.

Regardless of the final outcome,
the Warrior has effected CHANGE...
If only,
for waking up,
and bringing light
to that which was asleep and anesthetized.

-grassrootsmsw