Our Peaceful Warrior

I rented a movie last night called The Peaceful Warrior. I highly recommend you watch it. It is a true story taken from the book, The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, written by a gymnast and author, Dan Millman. Here is a quote about the DVD, "This film in some way calls us to living with a peaceful heart and a warrior spirit - to live with courage and love, to stand tall even when we stand alone, to do what is right and speak and live our truth. This is what the peaceful warrior's way is all about."

I bought the book for Joey close to 20 years ago when he was racing as a nordic skier. Chris also read it and Jess started to read it. It is still on his book shelve. Dan Millman was the guest speaker at a wellness fair here in Sun Valley that we attended. He has a wonderful way of sharing the experiences and lessons that he has learned as a superior athlete.

The film reminded me...again...that this life is all about the journey and not the destination. How many of us can love ourselves, our children, our mate, our parents, our friends, the strangers we meet for who they are right now and not for who we want them to be? I know, for me, it can be a challenge and is my lifetime work.

We have been told by many special messengers that Jess chose this path he is on to teach all of those who cross his path, unconditional love. Yes, that is a hard one for us to swallow. We miss the Jess we knew so much. But if it is true, we must honor his choice and love him unconditionally without expectations or desires to have him be anyone but who he is right now. Knowing my Jess, he would be the one to sacrifice his life for others. He once told me at the young age of 16, "Mom, I could die tomorrow and it would be ok. I have lived a good life and experienced so much." I looked at him and said, "But Jess, you are only 16!" He replied seriously, "I know, mom, but I have done more and lived more than most do in their entire lifetime."

He wanted to be an NBA player because he loved basketball, but also because he wanted to be an inspirational speaker and knew kids would listen to him if he played for the NBA. He didn't get that chance but maybe in this condition he is more powerful at getting a message across than he would have been as an NBA player. It is important for us to find a different way to listen to him.

Most of the people that touch Jess' life have truly given him unconditional love. We hear often that Jess gives them a gift far greater than they are able to give back to him. Of course those comments bring tears to my eyes. I will always feel we are so blessed to have the many friends that have come in different forms to touch all of our lives. I guess if there can be one good thing that came out of his accident, it has been meeting all the wonderful, kind and loving people that have shared this journey with us.

Watch the movie. You won't regret it. We all need a reminder to let go, forgive and love most importantly ourselves and then everyone around us "unconditionally".