Is to feed it.⠀

To make it larger.⠀

To fuel it with fear ⠀

And render ourselves fearful⠀

And powerless ⠀

At the same time.⠀

⠀

⠀

Opposite to what most think ⠀

To fight “evil” and the worst of humanity⠀

We must actually run towards it!⠀

Embrace it.⠀

Accept it.⠀

Face it.⠀

⠀

⠀

Find those parts of us that are unjust ⠀

Unfair ⠀

Greedy ⠀

Angry ⠀

Vicious ⠀

Mad⠀

Vengeful ⠀

And to own them.⠀

⠀

To own our darkness⠀

Is the only long term ⠀

And sustainable way ⠀

To keep it in check.⠀

⠀

⠀

It is those who most reject violence ⠀

The ones that fear it most ⠀

And the ones closer to blind rage ⠀

Given the opportunity.⠀

⠀

However, it is the man ⠀

Who has been to war ⠀

The one who craves peace the most.⠀

And the one willing to defend it ⠀

At all costs.⠀

⠀

⠀

It is time that we stop living in fear⠀

Hoping that by closing our eyes⠀

and covering with blankets ⠀

The monster under the bed ⠀

Will disappear.⠀

⠀

Because it will not.⠀

⠀

It will grow bigger with our every breath, and we will grow more scared with every second⠀

⠀

It is only when we’re willing⠀

to look under the bed ⠀

And shine light in there⠀

That we will realize ⠀

That the worst monsters ⠀

live only in our heads.⠀

⠀

⠀

And everything we own⠀

We control.⠀

So by disowning our darkness ⠀

We give it freedom to roam free⠀

And we succumb ⠀

At the mercy of it.⠀

⠀

⠀

So wake up warrior!⠀

Open your eyes.⠀

Check under your bed.⠀

Check within your head.⠀

⠀

Follow the noise ⠀

Into the dark night.⠀

And never⠀

Ever⠀

Be afraid of the fight.⠀

⠀

For peace is laid on a foundation ⠀

Of strength ⠀

And terror on one ⠀

Of weak men.⠀