The Battle of Sheldon
Sheldon, from 'The Big
Bang Theory' stands in front of a whiteboard with his college Dr
Koothrappali. They prepare to engage with the physics equation on the
board. In silence they start. Rocky's Eye of the Tiger starts in the
background. The scene cuts with the music to Sheldon and Koothrappali in different
stances eyeing the equation, from standing in front of the table, to behind or leaning on
it or upright with arms folded to leaning on a hip or hand to chin in thought. The music continues over the
silent battle of wits.
Sheldon's Struggle
Sheldon's struggle with
the problem or fight for the answer is an excellent expression of
what it means when we as community workers have to give head space
and time to an issue. When we just have to think about it. Not talk
to someone about it. Not read about it. Not draw diagrams or charts
or use calculators or weighing scales. We have to use our brains for
the calculations and ideas as illustrations and metaphors, and our
conscience and values do the weighing up.
In the Ring
And it can be as
exhausting as going 10 rounds with a heavy weight. Your head hurts
and your stomach churns. You can't tell up from down and the ring
gets smaller the longer you are in it. You want the round to end.
Sometimes the bell sounds when you least expect it and other times
you are desperately waiting, watching for the signs. You want a
referee to come in and break it up. And sometimes its a knockout and
as you count to ten...you suddenly become conscious. And you're back
in the ring. Back in the game. Able to give the wall of steel that's
between you and victory, the killer punch.
Necessary Violence
The only violence that
thinking people can advocate, is figurative - where the only battles
lost and won are of the mind. Sometimes its quiet and sometimes we
hear Eye of the Tiger.
The soundtrack of our
lives never lies – listen.
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