165. In Honor of Grizzly Cadets
(Valiant warriors immersed in a rich tradition of discipline and success.)
As they walked this world, in peril,
Lashed by powers outside their ken, (1)
They have stumbled in their journey,
They found need to “start again”.
Heaven, knowing all their struggles,
Has send aid in different ways,
To these warriors, questing vision (2),
Came a totem (3) for their days.
Needing courage for their gauntlets (4),
Needing strength to overcome,
The demands of caring mentors,
Who share grace from God’s own Son. (5)
These may find both faith and comfort,
From one totem above all,
They now bear the name of Grizzlies, (6)
They should stand both straight and tall.
There were some whose hearts were doubtful
Fearing these were doomed to fail.
But they did not know the power,
Of that Heaven beyond the veil (7)
Here and now we mock the doubters,
Here and now we praise our God.
Cast the threat of prisons (see 7) from them,
They now walk on Holy sod. (8)
Grizzly strength and grizzly courage
Grizzly pride at trials overcome
Raise their banner, sing their anthem
Feel the power of warriors’ drums.
Lesa’mo’ has seen their struggles (9),
The Great Father heard their pleas.
Heaven sent them strength and courage,
From their prayers on bended knees. (10)
© servingjesuspoetry.com [All commercial rights reserved.)
Lashed by powers outside their ken, (1)
They have stumbled in their journey,
They found need to “start again”.
Heaven, knowing all their struggles,
Has send aid in different ways,
To these warriors, questing vision (2),
Came a totem (3) for their days.
Needing courage for their gauntlets (4),
Needing strength to overcome,
The demands of caring mentors,
Who share grace from God’s own Son. (5)
These may find both faith and comfort,
From one totem above all,
They now bear the name of Grizzlies, (6)
They should stand both straight and tall.
There were some whose hearts were doubtful
Fearing these were doomed to fail.
But they did not know the power,
Of that Heaven beyond the veil (7)
Here and now we mock the doubters,
Here and now we praise our God.
Cast the threat of prisons (see 7) from them,
They now walk on Holy sod. (8)
Grizzly strength and grizzly courage
Grizzly pride at trials overcome
Raise their banner, sing their anthem
Feel the power of warriors’ drums.
Lesa’mo’ has seen their struggles (9),
The Great Father heard their pleas.
Heaven sent them strength and courage,
From their prayers on bended knees. (10)
© servingjesuspoetry.com [All commercial rights reserved.)
FOOTNOTES
(1) Archaic term for understanding or control. This concept was explored in more detail in the verses and scriptures found in the previous poem received for a particular member of this group of Cadets, “The Challenge of a Firstborn Son” (servingjesuspoetry.com No. 164). However, the intent and message of that trifling poem was intended to apply to all the Cadets, present and future. In this regard, the author has been prompted to tell these Cadets that those with you are not your rivals nor competitors but your brothers and sisters—even if “recognition” of achievement is needed at times as a motivating tool. Lift your comrades up when they are challenged; seek their success; ask, when needed, for their aid. You can make lasting friendships and learn to value others of different backgrounds and talents. BE “GRIZZLIES UNITED”. You, all of you, and the staff which leads you all, are worthy of our awe and admiration.
(2) A common theme of American Indian worship is the “vision quest”: “[V]ision quest, supernatural experience in which an individual seeks to interact with a guardian spirit, usually an anthropomorphized animal, to obtain advice or protection.” (britannica.com)
(3) https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems/ (“Legends”) “A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol of a tribe, clan, family, or individual. Some Native American tribes’ tradition provides that each person is connected with nine different animals that will accompany them through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides, also called spirit guides, power animals, or spirit animals, come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey.”
(4) “[A] test of faith, patience, or strength” (merriam-webster.com)
(5) The personal convictions of the leaders and mentors of the Academy are personal and private, and probably diverse, but the author has been assured that, at its heart, even if n-e-v-e-r s-p-o-k-e-n, the Academy is founded upon the faith and doctrines of Christianity—in whatever forms its believers practice. See, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (KJV). The author is convinced that the leaders, mentors, and instructors of the Grizzly Academy deem their work a privileged opportunity to give needed guidance and healing to Cadets who desperately seek, and who will receive, Heaven’s grace.
(6) The attributes and powers of the Grizzly totem are: “Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, willpower, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength.” (Legends, supra, bold added.)
(7)
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But He beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy;
The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day.
William Wordsworth from Intimations of Immortality [Emphasis added.]
(8) The Salinan tribe deems Morro Rock, Lesa’mo’, a holy site—the literal pinnacle of sacred land they believe they have held in trust for God and man for at least the last 10,000 years. They describe their mission, in relevant part, as follows: “Through our Educational non-profit we educate the people of the Central Coast and the world about our connection to this land and the importance of protecting and preserving this special place for generations to come.” (https://salinantribe.com/ ) The author’s modest study of both the Grizzly Academy program and the Salinan Tribe’s heritage has found inspiring parallels with regard to their beliefs and spiritual traditions. [The author recognizes, but must pass over, the Chumash tribe’s claim of ownership to this region.] The author dares declare that the Academy’s choice of San Luis Obispo as the site for their program was inspired, and that these Cadets are beneficiaries of this supremely apt choice for this [Divine] program of instruction and renewal. The Cadets struggle, sweat, and sometimes bleed on holy ground. In their triumph, they find a place of honor among thousands of graduates who bear their physical and spiritual symbols of sacrifice and labor as badges of honor. Graduates may, and should, proudly wave their paper certificates of achievement, but their greatest honor is found in renewed and refined souls and much healthier bodies.
(9) The “Grizzly Way” is both physical and mental. It involves intense, focused academic instruction, coupled with demanding, even painful, physical discipline—the Academy seeking to refine both mind and body. These warriors, the Cadets in training, must seek and find new sources of strength and courage to first, endure, then triumph over, the challenges of the program. The cadets who are currently undergoing training have, at this point, demonstrated uncommon capacity and a sincere desire to complete the program. If they remain diligent, they will take their place among the generations of Academy graduates who now honor their families and serve their communities with distinction.
(10) To the prayers and silent seekings of these Cadets are joined the prayers and good wishes of family, friends, staff, and well-wishers. The author deems it an honor and privilege to be one such friend and he sends his prayers, heavenward, daily, knowing they are being answered on behalf of these worthy young men and women. This poem was written in response to Heaven’s prompting to further encourage and fortify the current group of “Grizzly Warriors”. You are worthy of our esteem.
(1) Archaic term for understanding or control. This concept was explored in more detail in the verses and scriptures found in the previous poem received for a particular member of this group of Cadets, “The Challenge of a Firstborn Son” (servingjesuspoetry.com No. 164). However, the intent and message of that trifling poem was intended to apply to all the Cadets, present and future. In this regard, the author has been prompted to tell these Cadets that those with you are not your rivals nor competitors but your brothers and sisters—even if “recognition” of achievement is needed at times as a motivating tool. Lift your comrades up when they are challenged; seek their success; ask, when needed, for their aid. You can make lasting friendships and learn to value others of different backgrounds and talents. BE “GRIZZLIES UNITED”. You, all of you, and the staff which leads you all, are worthy of our awe and admiration.
(2) A common theme of American Indian worship is the “vision quest”: “[V]ision quest, supernatural experience in which an individual seeks to interact with a guardian spirit, usually an anthropomorphized animal, to obtain advice or protection.” (britannica.com)
(3) https://www.legendsofamerica.com/na-totems/ (“Legends”) “A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol of a tribe, clan, family, or individual. Some Native American tribes’ tradition provides that each person is connected with nine different animals that will accompany them through life, acting as guides. Different animal guides, also called spirit guides, power animals, or spirit animals, come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey.”
(4) “[A] test of faith, patience, or strength” (merriam-webster.com)
(5) The personal convictions of the leaders and mentors of the Academy are personal and private, and probably diverse, but the author has been assured that, at its heart, even if n-e-v-e-r s-p-o-k-e-n, the Academy is founded upon the faith and doctrines of Christianity—in whatever forms its believers practice. See, 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (KJV). The author is convinced that the leaders, mentors, and instructors of the Grizzly Academy deem their work a privileged opportunity to give needed guidance and healing to Cadets who desperately seek, and who will receive, Heaven’s grace.
(6) The attributes and powers of the Grizzly totem are: “Industrious, instinctive, healing, power, sovereignty, guardian of the world, watcher, courage, willpower, self-preservation, introspection, and great strength.” (Legends, supra, bold added.)
(7)
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But He beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy;
The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day.
William Wordsworth from Intimations of Immortality [Emphasis added.]
(8) The Salinan tribe deems Morro Rock, Lesa’mo’, a holy site—the literal pinnacle of sacred land they believe they have held in trust for God and man for at least the last 10,000 years. They describe their mission, in relevant part, as follows: “Through our Educational non-profit we educate the people of the Central Coast and the world about our connection to this land and the importance of protecting and preserving this special place for generations to come.” (https://salinantribe.com/ ) The author’s modest study of both the Grizzly Academy program and the Salinan Tribe’s heritage has found inspiring parallels with regard to their beliefs and spiritual traditions. [The author recognizes, but must pass over, the Chumash tribe’s claim of ownership to this region.] The author dares declare that the Academy’s choice of San Luis Obispo as the site for their program was inspired, and that these Cadets are beneficiaries of this supremely apt choice for this [Divine] program of instruction and renewal. The Cadets struggle, sweat, and sometimes bleed on holy ground. In their triumph, they find a place of honor among thousands of graduates who bear their physical and spiritual symbols of sacrifice and labor as badges of honor. Graduates may, and should, proudly wave their paper certificates of achievement, but their greatest honor is found in renewed and refined souls and much healthier bodies.
(9) The “Grizzly Way” is both physical and mental. It involves intense, focused academic instruction, coupled with demanding, even painful, physical discipline—the Academy seeking to refine both mind and body. These warriors, the Cadets in training, must seek and find new sources of strength and courage to first, endure, then triumph over, the challenges of the program. The cadets who are currently undergoing training have, at this point, demonstrated uncommon capacity and a sincere desire to complete the program. If they remain diligent, they will take their place among the generations of Academy graduates who now honor their families and serve their communities with distinction.
(10) To the prayers and silent seekings of these Cadets are joined the prayers and good wishes of family, friends, staff, and well-wishers. The author deems it an honor and privilege to be one such friend and he sends his prayers, heavenward, daily, knowing they are being answered on behalf of these worthy young men and women. This poem was written in response to Heaven’s prompting to further encourage and fortify the current group of “Grizzly Warriors”. You are worthy of our esteem.