Scars and Stars

 

        Don Quixote, a quiet middle-aged country gentleman, somewhat mentally deranged, set out in a second-handed suit of rusty armor to roam the world and set right whatever wrongs he might run into, all in the name of social justice and personal honor. His quest was “...to live in the world as it is traversed by man as he ought to be.”  After a series of misadventures, Quixote dies as the author says, “having gained his reason and lost his reasons for living.”

         The misadventures of Quixote and his sidekick, Sancho Panza are  comical and misguided. We cannot take the mad Don's exploits seriously, but we can't help but be inspired by his courage to live his life passionately no matter what others think.

        It is that passion I choose to take away from Cervantes' story. We can't ignore the presence of evil in our world today, nor can we pretend human suffering is not real. We need to change our focus. There is a darkness of the spirit that will take control if we but let it. But the light of healing and wholeness has not gone out. The power of love and compassion still burns brightly and that is where we should focus. Instead of turning and running away from that which threatens to devour us, we must realize that we have the power to take hold of the spirit that allows us to take charge of our own destiny and act accordingly. Let others keep score. We will keep the dream alive.

         In the time that I have I am determined to “to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far and dream the possible dreams.”

        My suffering will not define me, my dreams will.

        Actually, I find that reasonable.