A man who sacrificed his life for his vision of a better Russia and his love for the Russian people, was taken from us on February 16, 2024 by the hands of a dictator who is attempting to disrupt world peace and annihilate democracy. He was 47 years old.
What Alexei Navalny means to me, is the unbridled bravery and courage to embody higher principles and truth, speak out in an effort to lead others out of tyranny, defy evil forces in control of his country, and do so while withstanding torture, poisoning, imprisonment, and separation from his beloved family, ultimately losing his life because of it.
What Alexei Navalny also means to me is the demonstration of a man who loves his wife and family in a vivid and compelling manner of physical and spiritual love and devotion. The Navalny family is a tribe of warriors, and I have no doubt they will continue to lead on his behalf, just as his wife, Yulia, chose to speak at a gathering of world leaders in Munich hours after receiving the news of his death.
To witness this global loss in the face of my own country’s political cowardice in the Republican party that is choosing its own dictator at the expense of the American people, turns an egregious loss into epic tragedy as we watch Ukraine lose ground in its own sacrifice and battle for democracy because of the Republican’s utter lack of backbone and principle to pass a bill offering time-sensitive, critically needed aid.
I choose Navalny. I choose to honor his life and sacrifice, and pray for his family in their grief, as well as those who loved him and worked tirelessly on behalf of what he stood for. I choose Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukraine people, who are exemplifying the same courage, leadership, and sacrifice for the world. I choose President Biden, who relentlessly serves, leads, and never gives up for the United States and its people, despite constant criticism and opposition from narcissistic and weak government representatives in it for their own gain. I choose democracy, and stand with all who are fighting for it.
I know we are in the midst of great transformation, but in moments like this….and all the moments of death occurring in the process, it is truly devastating to watch the battle of resistance playing out. It is also devastating to witness the tsunami waves of lies overtaking sanity and reason.
I write about Alexei Navalny to process my own grief, and to speak his name. Navalny. It is a name that will go on in greatness, and live forever in my heart and tears as it lives in the hearts of millions. Imagine being a Russian citizen right now, subject to imprisonment if you dare to express your support, love and grief for his death. The country I live in allows the nonviolent freedom of expression without repercussion…. for now. But we are most certainly on the brink of potentially losing that freedom, among other freedoms already lost.
I pray the light and spirit of Alexei Navalny exponentially expands the light of higher consciousness on this planet to create victory over the dulled minds and blackened hearts of those who lead in corruptness and greed, and those who follow them. I pray for his soul’s journey and the family we are with all who support him, that Navalny said in his own words, “are stronger than we know”. May we never take for granted the freedoms Navalny gave his life for and may we have his courage to embody, lead, and always speak out for them.
If you have not seen the Oscar winning documentary “Navalny”, CNN is re-playing it on 2/17/24 and it is worth finding and viewing wherever you can access it.
(Photos from CNN.)