Laura

Valiant

He called me “valiant.”

I wasn’t sure if he knew…

But I was no hero.

Definitely not. It was never my place to be among true fighting warriors.

I was a shaman, who belonged in the woods, to fade into the mists of the mountains, away from civilization.

I could conjure demons and angels at will.

I could mix potions together of healing plants and teas that would cure the wounded.

But fight?

I didn’t belong in a battlefield.

My war was a spiritual one. It’s not to say I couldn’t fight in battle. I had been trained well enough from a young age.

There may have been some necessary times I needed to summon gods and goddesses of war to aid me in the rage-fueled final swing of my sword to pierce through an enemy’s throat.

But I was tired.

When will the battle be over?

I longed to return my reign of power to the warriors and battle lords who deserved the title.

There was just one final test.

A test from the unknown…

…and if I defeated it, I could finally live in peace.

In one piece.

Not in pieces.

©️ Laura Bennett, 2024

Sometimes tests in life are unknown.

You can spend time asking “why?” And it becomes even more enigmatic the more you ponder.

Life constantly sends us tests and battles throughout our time here on Earth – some spiritual, some mental, some physical, and some emotional, and oftentimes a combination of all. 

We think all it takes is “just one more test” and we’ll have made it, finally. 

But life doesn’t always work that way.

Staying down and accepting defeat is not an option.

We must rise up, after we’ve regrouped, after we’ve retreated, after we’ve healed a bit and had some deep rest. And then go into battle once more. 

For not only ourselves. 

But for those around us – who love us, care for us, and want to see the best for us.

To rise up against the unknown, and defeat it.

I don’t know where the story ends. But I know I’ve got to get up and face the battle. And even though I’m tired and want to retreat to the woods…

I will re-emerge victorious.

Valiantly.

AI images: Kevin ❤️

Words: Laura Bennett

Thank you for reading. 🙏

TLDR: ***My last post of the year, and I thought it would be a good reminder not only to myself, but to others as we forge into the unknown of 2025, that we remember to be strong, resilient, and prepared – for any battle, including the precarious one called, “Life.”

Happy New Year to you all!

70 comments

  3. In your lyrics is latent the way to reconcile the spiritual nature with the demands of the outside world, peace and respite, without having to remain a warrior.

    Happy New Year 2025! May this new year bring you infinite reasons to smile and pursue your dreams.

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  5. Love this, Laura…life can be tough, but we can always get back up. Sometimes we need rest before we keep going, and that’s okay.
    Here’s to facing whatever 2025 throws at us with strength and courage💪✨

    Wishing you a year filled with happiness, victories, and beautiful moments of peace🤗🌟🫶💕

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    • Thank you lovely Sia 🙏 your kindness means a lot 😊 and yes, so true, we need to rest before we get back up and go into battle! 💪
      Love what you said about facing whatever 2025 throws at us. May you be blessed with health, love, prosperity, happiness, all the best to you, always 💕 🌙 ✨ 🤗

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    • Thank you so much, Thomas! Greatly appreciated always 😊 I hope this will be a creative year indeed, I’ve had too many creative blocks this past month! Wishing you all the best in 2025 ✨

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  11. May this New Year be a year of courage, of your hopes, of your dreams, of successful results of your hard work for you and your entire family.

    May you all work hard in this New Year with new enthusiasm, new zeal, new wave and sit on the peak of success and always keep smiling with happiness.

    “May the New Year 2025 be auspicious””

    Upendra Singh.  

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  12. This was such an amazing post! 👏💕 Although I am getting sick of the battles… they keep on coming, so… what do we do? Lay down our sword and accept defeat, or keep on moving forward? Thanks for the reminder 😊🌺✨

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    • So true! Glad you liked it 😊 thank you, Kay 🙏 definitely don’t lay down, maybe only temporary and catch a break, heal a bit, then get back to it. That’s all we can sometimes! 💕 Appreciate your kind words so much! ✨

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  13. Happy New Year! 🥳 

    May we tackle life’s battles like the warriors we are—sometimes with a sword, sometimes with a cup of healing tea. But always with the same courage and resilience! 

    May 2025 bring victory, rest, and a lot fewer questionable battles (but if they come, we’ve got this!) 🙌😎

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  14. Well-thought-out post and reminder for all of us,my friend.
    Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.

    May 2025 be prosperous and healthy for you and yours.😊

    I hope we will see more collaboration posts from both of you this year.

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    • So true what you said, Simon! Thank you, we most certainly can be our own downfall unfortunately. I’m so glad you see a hero in me, I see one in you too. Keep fighting the good fight! 😊 appreciate your kind words always 🙏

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      • We are our own downfall… human nature can drag us that way. I guess if we can each other’s hero then we need to recognise it in ourselves too.
        Always fighting the good fight as best I can. Keep shining Laura 🙂

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  22. It’s so hard to get back up but I like how you said you can heal a little first. We have to be fierce and push ourselves.

    This is so beautifully written, Laura. It really resonates. ❤️ The images are just perfect, too.

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    • Thank you lovely 🥰 so glad you felt power and strength coming from this. So true too, unfortunately about those dang lessons that just keep coming around 😆
      Definitely, we won’t give up! ❤️
      Much gratitude for you sweet soul 🤗 🌹 ✨ 🌙

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  25. Your post is thoughtful and true, Laura. Life can seem like an endless fight for survival. I hope this battle is not yours. You know that I wish you happiness and good health, my dear, sweet friend. Sending you lots of love.

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    • Thank you so much for your loving and kind words, Mary ❤️ truly so grateful for you! 😊 things have been a bit chaotic with work but other than that, I’m hoping to get back on track soon. I wish you all the happiness and joy and love and yes, especially good health. And peace ❤️

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    • High praise coming from you, Ted! Thank you 🙏 I did kinda think, I wasn’t so sure what the “unknown test” was going to be…so I left it as unknown as I wrote this when I was in more of a crappy spot last month. But glad you liked it! 🫶 much appreciated always 😊

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