Do We Need to be “Warriors?”
I have a painting in my apartment that I created. On this painting I wrote these words, “You can not expect others to fight your battles and still be known as a Warrior.” I love this painting! But I have been thinking about these words A LOT recently. Since I work in the “mental health field”, I have been thinking what this means for me, as an individual, and for those I “serve.”
I put quotations around mental health field and serve because this is where I find confusion. Honestly, for me personally, as both an individual and a “professional”, I don’t know what it means to be a part of the “mental health field” or to “serve.” Recently, I have had this conversation a lot, with many different people. I feel… VERY STRONGLY… my “job” is simply to be a good person and care deeply about myself and others. That’s it! In my “professional role” in the “mental health field”, I feel all I can really do is care about others and help them be the best “WARRIORS” possible in their own lives. I can’t solve other’s problems. I can’t give people lots of money or make domestic violence disappear or get their caregivers off drugs… I can’t really do much for those I serve.
The unfortunate reality is that many of the “battles” for the people I serve will be fought on their own. Yes, I can help. Yes, I can be there when assistance is needed. Yes, I can offer support and care when things are most dire, but in the end, I CAN NOT fight their battles…
Is this true? Or am I just slacking in my “professional requirements?” Do I need to be a “warrior” for others? At least more of one? Do I need to be a BETTER warrior in my own life? Do we need to be warriors at all? Is it a mistake to think in the manner of “me vs… “something?” Should there be “battles” at all? This is what I have been thinking about… I don’t know the answers.