Aleksei Navalny

Dear Friends,

I am not sure why exactly, but Navalny always held a certain place in my heart.

His life was dedicated to something much bigger than himself, to the rights and freedoms of his people, and he was willing to put all on the line for it.

There are many great articles on his life, including this one from the NYT.

People often asked him, “Why in the hell did come back to Russia after you were free in Germany and almost died of poisoning?” He of course knew he would be arrested.

He wrote,

“I don’t want to give up either my country or my beliefs. I cannot betray either the first or the second. If your beliefs are worth something, you must be willing to stand up for them. And if necessary, make some sacrifices.”

In this age where it can seem that just about everyone is trying to promote themselves, increase “their brand,” and get more followers and likes on social media, he stood for something else.

Navalny knew what he was here to do, and it saddens me deeply that we have lost him.

Sometimes like Mandela, the person makes it through, often they do not.

Though I never found a way to help him, or never met him, I knew he stood for something so much bigger than himself.

And that capacity resides in all of us.

I am aware that there are thousands more people fighting brutal regimes, and who largely go unnoticed.

But if we take anything from Navalny’s life, maybe it is simply to inquire:

“What do I stand for?”

And then listen for the answer.

Seems like the least we can do.

Afterall, the world changes as we change.

Blessings,

SOREN