What we all need to do is find the wellspring that keeps us

The activist and guardian of the earth, Winona LaDuke, once declared: “What we all need to do is find the wellspring that keeps us going, that gives us the strength and patience to keep up this struggle for a long time.” In these words lies not only the wisdom of endurance but the reminder that true resilience must come from deep within — from a source that does not run dry, a hidden fountain of the spirit that sustains us when the path grows long and the struggle heavy.

To speak of a wellspring is to invoke the image of a living source of water, flowing beneath the ground, pure and eternal. The ancients drew from such springs to survive droughts, to nourish their flocks, and to renew their communities. In the same way, LaDuke tells us that within each of us there must be such a source: a grounding of purpose, of love, of conviction that sustains us when outer circumstances grow bleak. Without it, one may falter in the heat of struggle, but with it, the soul endures beyond weariness.

She speaks also of strength and patience, twin pillars of the long journey. Strength alone may allow one to rush forward in a burst of fire, but without patience, that fire burns out quickly. Patience without strength, on the other hand, waits endlessly without action. The true warrior, the true builder of change, must have both — the strength to act, and the patience to endure setbacks, to hold steady through delay, and to continue the work even when results are slow to come.

History gives us a shining example in the life of Nelson Mandela. Imprisoned for 27 long years, he endured the weight of injustice and the temptation of despair. What sustained him was his own wellspring: his unwavering belief in freedom, his love for his people, and his vision of a South Africa without chains. His strength gave him the courage to resist, and his patience gave him the endurance to wait until the world was ready to change. When at last he emerged, it was not bitterness but wisdom and reconciliation that flowed from him, proving that his wellspring had remained pure.

LaDuke’s words arise from her own struggle as an indigenous leader, fighting for the protection of the earth and the survival of her people’s way of life. Such a battle is not won in a day, nor even in a decade. It requires the long struggle, one that stretches across generations. For this reason, she urges us to find that which continually renews us — whether it be faith, tradition, love for our children, or a vision of justice — so that when exhaustion comes, we are not emptied, but replenished.

The lesson for us is clear: if you would endure in life, you must discover your wellspring. Ask yourself: what gives me life when I am weary? What vision restores me when I am broken? What love strengthens me when I feel alone? Find it, guard it, and return to it often. For life will surely test you, and without such a source, you will wither. But with it, no storm will drown you, no drought will consume you, and no struggle will outlast you.

Practical wisdom follows: nurture your wellspring daily. Spend time in silence to hear your heart. Root yourself in traditions that give meaning to your life. Surround yourself with those who uplift you. Care for your body, so that your spirit may dwell in strength. And above all, keep your vision alive before you, for it is the compass that leads you back to the source when you stray.

So remember, O listener, the words of Winona LaDuke: “Find the wellspring that keeps us going.” Let them remind you that endurance is not born of stubbornness alone, but of renewal. Drink deeply from your inner source, return to it often, and with strength and patience, you will walk the long road of struggle and triumph, never running dry.