WARRIOR WOMAN!

I'd like to wake every morning full of vim and vigor.  Ready to fight for righteous causes.  Excited about plans and projects.  Singing, laughing, smiling . . .

But some days I just want to roll over and take a nap - after a comfy breakfast of oatmeal topped with a bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts, raisins, and almond milk.

Whilst napping - this thought sprang into my consciousness:  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I NEED        

MY 

WARRIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I need MY WARRIOR to give me courage, energy and the will to be true to myself.

According to Carol Pearson in her book, The Hero Within, we all have access at different points in our lives to the archetype of the Warrior. This is the energy in our psyche that brandishes a sword or a staff and cuts off anything that seems to threaten the survival of our body, our values, or our personal integrity.

Pearson reminds us that acting under the influence of the Warrior archetype doesn't mean that we try to control others or engage in petty conflicts. The WARRIOR helps us find and fight for our own identity, gives us self-discipline and the ability to control our own feelings and impulses.

The AUTHENTIC ADULT WOMAN develops and uses a strong Warrior in her psyche.  She prefers peace but isn't afraid of conflict, Pearson says.  "There is no way we can really win unless we are contributing what we are here to give".  

For me, that means that I can call on my inner Warrior when I don't have the energy or the will to fight against lethargy, doubt, and all that old negative stuff.

                   

Here's a dream image I painted on an old canvas window shade!  Looks like I had a whole brigade of warriors defending me and ready to fight on my behalf!

OK - here's the truth. I am old.  I face the loss of abilities, roles, companions and comforts. I need an inner warrior to get through the scary health issues, the slowing down, the dreaded despair.

Here's the Good news: says Tammy Bertolette in her article, Time is on Our Side: On Aging:

"At the height of our being old we enter into our most unique phase. And in our uniqueness we impact others in ways we might never imagine".  

 

 

 

 

So here I am -playing the role of a Grandmother Seal, Silver Mara - in a play written by Meg Wilbur.  

Silver Mara stands firm with her tall staff expressing strength and courage.

In that role, with that attitude, my old self is imbued with calm warrior bravery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An African artist carved this powerful woman clasping a stout stick.  She says it represents the courage and comfort needed by the powerless women in her country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's my huge urn of sticks and staffs.  I love to find the right branches in the forest. Sometimes I strip off some of the bark and carefully cut through the outer layers of wood to the clean clear heart wood.  Maybe I add a bit of red leather, or imbed a beautiful stone.  I love to sand and sand the rough end of a branch until it gleams softly to the touch.

 I keep my staffs handy . . .  

I never know when my WARRIOR will need to stand up for what she believes or protect me from myself :)

 

     YOU DON'T MESS WITH MY  WARRIOR!

 

 

 

      

Comments

[jacki long]

I love, LOVE this Dorothy! you touched on so many similarities and I find myself nodding. I am right there with you, but I only have two sticks.