John Denver, Little House on the Prairie and Your Warrior’s Edge

It was an interesting chain of thoughts. During my cool down at the gym I decided to listen to John Denver on my iPod. “Sweet Surrender” was the song I wanted to hear and listened to first, as the song has always been a favorite of mine, and a song that I really connected with when younger. However, it was the song that came next that really got me thinking.

 

“Thank God I’m A Country Boy” came on, and while enjoying it, my thoughts for some reason turned to the popular television show of the 70s and 80s, “Little House on the Prairie.” I don’t think I’ve watched the show since it originally aired, but I was a fan back then and now more than 30 years later I look back at the show with fondness and remember Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls playing the fiddle in episodes (the John Denver song connection). That led to me thinking of one of my favorite quotes by Michael Landon, and how the character he played, Charles Ingalls, or “Pa,” embodies the virtues and ethic of living with the Warrior’s Edge that I teach today.

 

First the quote by Michael Landon, “Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.” That sums up one of the philosophies I live by and teach very well.

 

But what about this Pa Ingalls being a warrior stuff? How can a farmer and mill worker be a warrior? The character definitely doesn’t represent the battle hardened military or fighting “warrior” as depicted in many pictures and films (many of which I also enjoy and share). And maybe that is just the reason he embodies Your Warrior’s Edge the most.

 

He was an honest hard-working man who did his best to take care of his family, and see that what was right was done. He stood against evil and injustice. And he wasn’t afraid to get physical, both with hard labor, and at times violence to protect himself and those he loved. He had grit, and taught his children the same. That is what living with the warrior’s edge is all about.

 

I think if we all embodied the character traits of Michael Landon’s character Charles Ingalls, we would be living a life we could be proud of, others would be proud of us, and the world in general would be a better place. That is what living as a warrior is about.

 

Maybe I need to get myself a copy of the “Little House on the Prairie” series. It would be a good show to watch with my daughter. What do you think?