My Warrior Life

Image by Gareth Harper via Flickr

Rebel Yell In the heat of battle warriors have used many visual and verbal traditions to rally themselves and fortify their resolve for the upcoming test.  During one of the most intense battles of history, the Civil War, the armies of the South had a much heralded rebel yell.  These true warriors never wavered in their resolve to push on to their intended target.

On a more peaceful note, have you ever wondered why during ski racing competitions there are cow bells rung?  Actually the tradition started in the Swiss alps where the races were run on grazing areas used by cow farmers.  The bell runging began to be the battle cry for the racer to battle on.  This tradition has spread to other forms of competition such as cycling during the Tour de France.

What is your battle cry?  What inspires you to reach?  What implores you to do your best?  Find that and use it like any warrior would.

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Inspiration.  It is a word that fires the imagination.  It motivates and moves people to do great things.  How often do we rely on others to motivate ourselves?  Sure, it is easier to let others do the motivating and just focus on doing your best.  Sometimes though, others are not around or the people around us are discouraging us.  What to do then?

A true warrior knows how to simply motivate him or her self.  Even when others around are telling them that they cannot do something, they have the firm resolve to keep their focus on the goal in mind.  As I write this, the Luge athletes are taking their runs on the same track that tragically killed an athlete in practice runs.  Some would say that they should not run the races, but the athletes that are focused and determined to compete are stepping up.  That is true warrior inspiration.  In doing so, the athletes are honoring the memory of the Nodar Kumaritashvili.  Honor yourself is a similar way.  When the others tell you that you cannot, inspire yourself to push beyond the boundaries of doubt.  Go be a warrior!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Men’s luge course altered (canada.com)
• How to Stay Motivated — and Get That Bonus (online.wsj.com)

Many people I speak with have a certain pre-conceived image of the Samurai warrior.  Some recall the television series called Shogun by James Clavell.  Many recall the scene in which a warrior decapitates another for not bowing respectfully.  The Code of Bushido was the governing principles of these warriors.  Bushido means “way of the warrior”, and bloodthirsty is not one of the ways to describe them. Bushido puts emphasis on:

• Loyalty
• Self sacrifice
• Justice
• Sense of shame
• Refined manners
• Purity
• Modesty
• Frugality
• Martial spirit
• Honor and affection

The human race has evolved so much since the time of the Samurai (9th – 12th century).  The principles it espouses though is timeless.  We are lucky to have an example of living that made sense in ancient times and guided its people through many of the same ups and downs that we face today.  As a life coach, I try to instill the principles of the Bushido in the clients that I train.  Samurai never needed written pacts to be who they were, it was beneath their honor to do so.  We would be well served to have such honor ourselves.

Some of you may not recognize the young officer in the photo.  Well, not to burst your bubble, however, that young man was me over 20 years ago.  We should support our police who provide protection of us each day.  One of the great lessons I learned from that era of my life was the lawmen’s code of ethics and how to never give up in battle.  Below are some excerpts:

“As a Law Enforcement Officer, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.”

“I will survive any situation I get into because I am trained for it,” “I will never give up, I am prepared for any situation I fall into because I train for it as an police officer,” “I will never give up.”

As you read these words, please remember that our police are on duty to help us and they are the true warriors of life.  The passages above are in line with the code of ethics.

One of the more important warrior codes is that of valor.  When you think of the valor, I am sure images are conjured up most likely having to with patriotism and national pride.  These are important and this is meant in no way to down play those.  What I want to remind each of you is that valor must come from within.  We need to look inside ourselves and seek valor from personal level.  That is a cornerstone of what it takes to be a warrior at life.

Looking at this personal view of valor, ask yourself these questions.  Are you being brave and facing every obstacle?  Do you avoid making the brave decisions that have to be made?  Do you cower when things get tough?  Be honest with yourself.  A true warrior lives honestly and with integrity.  It is OK if you fail at times, but recognize and move forward making improvements along the way.  That is another warrior way, to make constant improvements.  Go out today and be a warrior of life.  Live with valor!