Might Makes Right
But perhaps unlike how you were taught
“The pen is mightier than the sword!” is an oft repeated saying in Western culture for over 200 years. For those with a long view it is undoubtedly correct. It intones the basic idea of using a tool at hand to force another human to conform to your will. What if there was a better way? That of service.
The Hand
I am using both of my hands right now to compose this post. Hands are symbolic of action. It was the appearance of a hand that etched the plaster on the wall of the drunk party room of King Belshazzar to give the message “You have been weighed and come up short.” We shake hands as a sign of welcoming, recognition or regard. Hands manipulate tools like the handles of axes and firearms. The “sinister” hand refers to a person who can unexpectedly draw their sword from their left hand.
Twenty years ago I built a custom control board for a friend of mine who was the SFX lead in Hellboy and he used it to actuate the servos in a mechanical hand (courtesy of DDT Effects in Spain).
Your hand can also be used to lovingly caress your spouse and comfort a scared child. Clearly, our hands are more than the terminus of our arms but extensions of our will.
What Do We Will?
I can only speak for myself and that my own will moves back and forth between selfish and selfless. Perhaps for you as well.
Let me present a photo my friend RH sent:
He is holding the hand of his grandson while reclining on the couch. I’m sure he did this 1,000 times with his own kids but for some reason he felt it was worth sending me a photo.
This is kindness. And the genesis of this post because in this world of anger, divisiveness and even violence the simple act of kindness to protect the innocent can be overlooked. We all know it should not be.
But There Is More
After RH sent me that photo I went on a journey to find one from nearly 30 years ago. I was at the wedding of a fellow BattleBots competitor and friend. As we all waited in line for the reception I was presented with a most excellent example of using your hand will.
MB cares for his wife who is in a wheelchair. We were all joshing around after the ceremony and someone remarked that the sunshine was pretty hot and they wished there was shade. MB stood where he did casting his shadow upon his wife and quietly said “I am her shade.”
To all men who read this blog: may you be mighty and undeterred in using your hands and abilities to serve both those you have committed to and to protect the innocent.
Do not let nobility or propriety fade away. Be the shade of your wives as MB has been.
Let your might make right.
“All battles are first won or lost, in the mind.” - St. Joan of Arc