Phoenix

Life deals us difficult hands from time to time, some of which burn us very deeply. Although we cannot change that which affects us, we possess the power to decide how and to what extent we allow it affect us. Let us all look to this magical bird; for we all, at some point in time, must become the Phoenix, lifting ourselves from the pyre of ashes that surround us in order to see the world anew.

Historical and iconographical information about the "Phoenix":
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/p/phoenix.html

Peace

Like all things in life -- too much of one thing never ceases to dull the senses.

One must occasionally lick the bitter to taste the sweet, struggle through pain to experience the gain, walk through the valleys in order to stand on the top, wrestle through hate in order to love. So it is true that in order to gain full appreciation and actualization of this thing called peace, one must experience the horrors of war.

Help

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. -HK

Mask

The function of a mask is to conceal. Some of us use them as a smile to belie our bitter feelings towards our peers, others use masks as a wall of safety -- acting heroically despite feelings of diminuation and insignificance. Despite the specific functions of each mask, we all wear them...some of them are just more obvious than others.

Might

The inevitable presence of the oncoming enemy is growing with every step of his galant trod. As the shaft of a brand new arrow snaps successfully within the cradle of the awaiting crossbow, our warrior just might live to see another day on the battlefield.