Broken Reed

A young warrior’s origin story…

For many, the moment they knew they were destined to be a warrior was when they heard stories of great battles won from their grandpa. Others it was when they saw some epic movie like Navy SEALs and their eyes were opened to great adventure and endless possibilities of dauntless feats that a branch of the military could provide. For me, it was when I saw Saving Private Ryan as a boy living in the country. In watching the tale of woe and courage of US army troops with a mission to find one man and bring him home safe during the time of reclaiming Europe in WW2, I saw something that I would never forget. I saw the contrast between solid selfless character and real men who held a cause higher than their own life compared alongside someone who had no backbone or resolve when dangers came. It illustrated to me the great and amazing feats of sacrificial courage was capable of producing, against all odds. And sometimes the incredible detriment and destruction that comes when someone is counted on, who cannot be trusted to stand firm in the moment of truth.
I had just turned 13 years old and already I felt a strong sense of protecting the innocent and standing up in the face of evil for the cause of the weak. But this was a defining moment for me, and it was this picture that I saw that gave me great determination. I knew then, that if I was to be a warrior, a fighter for just causes, there could be no half way. Later I developed a mantra that I strive to live by in the essentials of life, it goes like this “Half way, is worse than none at all.” And this was the reality I was convinced of and am still to this day. When you are someone to be counted on and claim a status or title and others look to you for that, it’s very good. You look to your duties and follow thru and live the life you were called to, others are served and helped and you can be a great example, someone others are encouraged by just by being yourself. But when you take the role of something you are not, pretending, faking or even subconsciously deceiving yourself and others are counting on you…you become to them a Broken Reid, and great harm can come by it.
[Isa 36:6 KJV] 6 Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
A broken reed, is a symbol of a deceptive support. If you use it for a staff and actually put some pressure on it, it will not only fail you, it will harm you. This is what I determined I would not be. I welcomed challenges and training with open arms, resolved that if I was to be one others counted on during times of great need, I could not fail. Not for lack of discipline, not for lack of trying, not for lack of courage, not for my lacking character. I knew that I would go to places where real men would be needed, and counted on, where the pressure would mount and good people would need to be supported. And I for one could not live with myself if I knew that my failings were the cause that others suffered and bled and died. I knew that if I were to be one that was looked to in a moment of crisis, than I must be prepared, I must be ready, I must be trained and I must be equipped. For I would not bear the shame and conflict of soul that unresolved, weak and unprincipled men must know.
So I began my journey, intentionally improving my skills, strength, character and mindset. It is a never ending journey. No one ever arrives at the final destination in this life. Those who think they do, immediately start sliding back down the trail that they fought so hard to climb.
We all have a starting point, something that sticks with us and marks the advance of great or terrible things in life. As for this young warrior, this was mine.
Michael “Eleftheria”