Warrior Code

If you read this page… please leave a comment and tell me what being a warrior means to you.

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Main Entry: war·rior

Function: noun
Pronunciation: ‘wo r-y&r, ‘wo r-e-&r, ‘wär-e- also ‘wär-y&r
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English werriour, from Old North French werreieur, from werreier to make war, from werre war — more at WAR
: a man engaged or experienced in warfare ; broadly : a person engaged in some struggle or conflict <poverty warriors>

I looked up warrior online, in several different dictionaries. (WHY do we need so many dictionaries?) The definition posted above is one of the only ones I found that I accept, because it includes – A person engaged in some struggle or conflict. This is a new definition. In many dictionaries, I found the definition to be ONLY a man engaged or experienced in warfare.

Engaged in struggle or conflict. That is suitable for survivors of ____________________ (fill in the blank). I really can’t think of anyone who isn’t engaged in some sort of struggle or conflict about something.

So what does it mean to be a Warrior? What are we saying?

Basically, we are survivors who are doing what we can to heal our hearts, and our bodies, and our minds.

We begin to put the guilt and shame we carried on the perpetrator.

We work to improve ourselves, so that we can live happy and fulfilling lives.

We extend our hands and our hearts to other survivors, and encourage healing.  

We offer support and guidance and experience and strength to other survivors.

We share the wisdom we have gained and hope others can use it to help themselves.  

We learn to speak out, speak up, and speak as loud as we can, so that we are heard. 

We learn to be honest with ourselves. We learn it is ok to be honest with those around us, with our support system.

We learn how to accept love and support from others. Eventually, we learn how to love them back.

We do what we can manage. We keep pushing forward. No step is too big. No step is too small. We face the setbacks as they come.

I know I haven’t even touched the surface of Warrior-hood. Please, leave a comment and share what being a warrior means to you. Or send me an email. Let’s make a page with everyone’s contributions, sort of a Warrior Code, so that we stick together! Maybe one day, we can stop all this madness.