Staying positive while all around there is negativity, polarity and bickering; often over inconsequential items or semantics.

In fact, to maintain a positive “Can do” attitude on a daily basis takes sheer fortitude. Its a never ending battle.  A war that seems  unbeatable. Solid wins appear elusive.

How do we maintain our stamina? How do we keep calm, pressing forward toward our divine destiny in the midst of verbal, psychological,  emotional and physical punch or two every day? Brutal personal beatings perhaps and yet rise again to see another day?

Spirituality and Religion

In ancient times, “warriors often had animal totems or called upon animal powers to help them in battle, invoking the strength of the bull, the courage of the boar, and so on,” says Franklin and Mason [1, pg. 156]. Today, solders on the battlefield are no different.  Tick reports, “many modern soldiers wear crosses, stars, or other religious symbolism: carry mementos or Saint’s cards: and pray deeply during combat” [2, pg.61]. He adds sanguinely, “most soldiers know the truth of the adage, ‘There are no atheists in the foxhole’ [2, pg. 61].

When the day seems bleak or the case too insurmountable, the criminals too sleek, and the conspirators too numerous;  we’ll say a silent prayer and hope to live to see another day. As with most soldiers, we can attest “There are no atheists in the fox hole.”

Resources

1. A. Franklin and P. Mason, “Lammas: Celebrating Fruits of the First Harvest.” St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Worldwide, 2001.
2. E. Tick, “War and the Soul: Healing our Nation’s Veteran’s from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome,” Wheaton, IL: Quest Books, 2005.