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| You guessed correctly...that's not me |
Once again, the AWESOMENESS that is Game of Thrones inspires a post. And while I should’ve written about the wolves by now, alas I still haven’t. This time, the goods come from Arya Stark, the young tomboyish daughter of Lord Stark. As the good book says, “Out of the mouth of babes…”
This week we only see her for a scene as she is completely engaged in her practice to become a master swordsman – talking of balancing on one toe for hours and catching cats. When warned by her father that she may suffer a hard tumble down the stairs, her (paraphrased) retort is that there is always a lesson in pain. And as good as that nugget is – it’s not even the most awesome thing that she said.
Young Arya questions why she can’t be a knight. Her father attempts to soothe her by describing a future where she is the wife of a noble lord who bears sons who will be knights, lords, and advisors to the king. As lofty a dream as this would be for any little girl, our young heroine rejects it saying “No, that’s not me.” Here we find her awesomeness most awesomely displayed.
It is always difficult to express ourselves genuinely and to actualize the being within – and even more when that expression is the complete opposite of every institutionally conventional image. To say “This is me” is awesome – it is the utterance of a free soul, unfettered and empowered. It is the voice of the risen phoenix, assuming its noble perch in all its splendor. But to say “No, that’s not me” – that’s another animal. That is the utterance of a fighter, challenging the impositions, assumptions, and limitations being forced upon it. This is a cat that will be nothing less than a lion. This is the queen without a crown that claims her sovereign right to will demanding her power be relinquished. This is courage and resolve – and it will become an unyielding strength.
I know that many of us are sitting under the burden of an image that has been projected upon us – an image that we have not yet had the courage to reject. So, start small…say to yourself - “That’s not me” as you watch a YouTube video of a honey badger. Then work your way up until when you are confronted with the binding limitations of an institutional role you can reject it with the courage and conviction of a little girl.
P.S. For all of the fans of Game of Thrones, I found a cool illustrated guide to the houses. Check it out:
