Two Days In Calmar, Iowa

Two Days In Calmar, Iowa

Fight the Good Fight- John Paul Derryberry

It just seems all overwhelming; why do you do what you do? I mean, don't you feel like you're fighting a losing battle? The person who asked me this question wasn't jaded, doesn't think people who are suffering don't need help, doesn't think we shouldn't reach out to relieve the suffering of others. They genuinely wanted to know the answer to the question, "How do you proceed knowing full well you are fighting a losing battle?"

I'll answer that question in a moment but first, let me tell you about a close-your-eyes-and-you'll-miss-it small town in northeast Iowa. Here was a community suffering through a series of mental and emotional health crises, a place in need of coming together to talk, share stories, and lessen the burden everyone carries. We suffer along, cut off from the ones we love. We think we are either alone in our suffering, or if we dare speak our pain into existence, we will be isolated from the people we love. Outright rejection or fear of rejection is probably the leading cause of suicide in our culture.

Leaders in this community decided to not languish alone but to come together. Not just once but on four different occasions over two days to have an honest conversation about mental and emotional health. It's not easy to sell that to your community. It's never easy to swallow your pride and say I need help. Just look at the people in your life that ignore their medical problems out of fear. But, these leaders decided it was worth the effort to help those in need to come together.

Then came the response from the community members as they rolled into different events placing their trust in an outsider. An open wound is something we rarely trust to an unknown person. Young and old moved in, unsure of what would follow. First, a night about life after tragedy, and then a night about how amazing people with mental and emotional health issues can make the world a better place. They didn't have to attend, yet they did. People want to understand this. They want their communities to be less chaotic. People want to move to a more inclusive society. This is something I've learned through my years of speaking. How we get there is the difference of opinion, but we can iron out that kink.

Now let me get back to answering that losing battle question. Yes, I'm fighting a losing battle, probably always will be. I'm reminded of one of my favorite quotes from my comic book movies:
"Why do you want to save the universe? What has it ever done for you?
"Because I'm one of the idiots that live there."
I'm one of the idiots that calls Earth home, so I continue to fight the losing battle; I want to make it a better place while I do. So there I was, prepping for my final talk with this brave group of people. Finally, I saw three junior high kids I had spoken with on an earlier day walk into the public session. I asked them what they came back for. They answered, we needed to hear more from you.

And that's why you fight a losing battle. Because along the way, we have millions of opportunities to improve the lives around us. We have chances to make people understand chaos isn't the answer. Because two days in Calmar, Iowa revealed we don't always lose when we fight the good fight. And this has always been and will always be a good fight. Also I'm enough of an idiot to keep on fighting. I consider it one of my better qualities.