An Open Call to Valor
An assertion is merely that place where you begin. It may be right or it may be wrong, but one does not know for sure until one explores the idea. So before I begin to explore the idea I am going to make an assertion - that valor is defined thusly:
Strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness. Personal bravery.
… and based on this assertion I want to ask some questions.
Are there moments of real valor in the SCA? Are there moments of real personal bravery?
Right now there is an opportunity in this kingdom for a handful of people to engage in real valor by stepping up and admitting that they were wrong, that they have made bad decisions or behaved in ways which have brought a serious devisiveness to the kingdom. Some have tried to lay blame upon others rather than take their portion of it upon themselves where it rightly belongs or have tried to play the roles of innocents or martyrs instead of admitting their degrees of culpability.
All of the situations which have gone on and have led us to this point in our collective history have gone on for so long that there are no longer any innocents.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing that anyone can do to make this better save one single action - if you are involved than step up and own what you've done.
Own your part in the mess and admit publicly that your actions contributed to it. The rest of us don't really need the gory details. We probably shouldn't really hear them at all.
But if you tell the rest of us publicly that you admit that you blew it, acted badly or otherwise regret what you have contributed to this mess and that you genuinely want to make it right then we will know that you are being honest and not just trying to let bygones be bygones hoping that it will just all pass and be forgotten.
Yes, you'll take your lumps. That's a part of the process and you can not side step it. There will be a backlash of people who will be horrified with you or angry with you or disheartened in the very thing they once believed in but now question.
But if you own it and admit that you are a part of it, then, and only then will you really be putting not just your feet on the path to healing yourself, but you'll be showing everyone else the way as well.
For every person who is angry with what you have done, another will offer you forgiveness. For every person who is horrified by your previous actions another will offer understanding. For every person who is disheartened another will see that true valor is still possible.
Owning what you have done takes real valor.
All that the rest of us really want is to see valor and we hope that you will step up, own up and be the truly valorous people we can believe in.
If you agree with these words than please take them, post them where you will and let everyone know that you, like I, believe that there is valor in the Kingdom of The West.
Strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness. Personal bravery.
… and based on this assertion I want to ask some questions.
Are there moments of real valor in the SCA? Are there moments of real personal bravery?
Right now there is an opportunity in this kingdom for a handful of people to engage in real valor by stepping up and admitting that they were wrong, that they have made bad decisions or behaved in ways which have brought a serious devisiveness to the kingdom. Some have tried to lay blame upon others rather than take their portion of it upon themselves where it rightly belongs or have tried to play the roles of innocents or martyrs instead of admitting their degrees of culpability.
All of the situations which have gone on and have led us to this point in our collective history have gone on for so long that there are no longer any innocents.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing that anyone can do to make this better save one single action - if you are involved than step up and own what you've done.
Own your part in the mess and admit publicly that your actions contributed to it. The rest of us don't really need the gory details. We probably shouldn't really hear them at all.
But if you tell the rest of us publicly that you admit that you blew it, acted badly or otherwise regret what you have contributed to this mess and that you genuinely want to make it right then we will know that you are being honest and not just trying to let bygones be bygones hoping that it will just all pass and be forgotten.
Yes, you'll take your lumps. That's a part of the process and you can not side step it. There will be a backlash of people who will be horrified with you or angry with you or disheartened in the very thing they once believed in but now question.
But if you own it and admit that you are a part of it, then, and only then will you really be putting not just your feet on the path to healing yourself, but you'll be showing everyone else the way as well.
For every person who is angry with what you have done, another will offer you forgiveness. For every person who is horrified by your previous actions another will offer understanding. For every person who is disheartened another will see that true valor is still possible.
Owning what you have done takes real valor.
All that the rest of us really want is to see valor and we hope that you will step up, own up and be the truly valorous people we can believe in.
If you agree with these words than please take them, post them where you will and let everyone know that you, like I, believe that there is valor in the Kingdom of The West.