What Would You Be Willing to Fight For?
I, along with the rest of the world, have watched the Ukrainian – Russian conflict unfold in front of my eyes. I am horrified by the invasion of Ukraine and am still in major disbelief of how the Russian forces are so aggressively attempting to take over their neighbour.
It's hard to believe that it has now been a year since the invasion began. As difficult and saddening as this situation is, what I am most inspired by throughout this conflict is the Ukrainian people.
Rather than bow to what may seem like a much larger and frightening assault, they continue to stand strong. They are pushing back. Everyday civilians are arming themselves to fight for their country and their belief in freedom and democracy.
There was one story in particular that really stood out for me. A Ukrainian woman boldly approached a Russian soldier and demanded to know why he was there. During a heated exchange, she offered the soldiers sunflower seeds to put in their pockets, “so at least sunflowers will grow when you lie down here”. Here is the video clip of this exchange;
As I thought about this situation, I couldn’t help but wonder.
What is it that I would be willing to fight for?
I then realized that I have had a very fortunate life. As I look around the world, so many people have had to fight for the rights and life that I simply take for granted everyday.
But as I watch the Ukrainian people band together to fight off their aggressor, to fight for their country, their independence, their families and their way of life I would hope that if pressed, I would do the same.
I also hope that by adding my voice to so many others across the globe of our anger and disapproval of this unprovoked attack, we help to strengthen the pressure on our leaders to support the Ukrainians and their fight to preserve their country.
In many ways, their fight is our fight. And we should all be willing to fight for that.
Ways you can help:
Donate to the Red Cross to help support Ukraine;
In Canada: Canadian Red Cross Ukraine donation website: https://donate.redcross.ca/page/100227/donate/1?locale=en-CA
International Red Cross Ukraine donation website: https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine
