When we think of an example of a warrior we think of battle, we think of William Wallace (Braveheart) or Maximus (Gladiator) – above.
But how can we become a modern day warrior?
How can we show the same honor, valor, courage and strength that both of these men showed in their relatively brief existence?
The 2nd definition in the dictionary for the word “Warrior” is as follows:
2. a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics.
I’d like to scratch out “politics or athletics” and replace it with “life”. So the definition becomes:
2. a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness in life.
How do you show vigor and aggressiveness in life?
By not backing down? I think that can be one aspect of it. By not quitting? I think that can be another aspect of it as well.
Another can be pursuing a dream that others think is impossible or “unrealistic”, and pursuing it to its end; to the point where the dream becomes reality. No matter how low things may get, or how dark your situation might seem, you push on knowing that what you’re working towards is worth it – which in my mind is one of the toughest things to do in life.
Think of life like a battlefield or a boxing ring. In battle, or in a fight, it’s not the guy who’s angry, quick tempered and out of control who will win the fight. Yes you have to be aggressive, but it’s always a controlled aggressiveness that the best in battle show.
Life is the same in many ways. It’s never the hothead who finishes life on top. It’s also not the guy who gets walked all over, who goes through life as a doormat, too scared to be his own person, chase his own dreams, or stand up for himself or for others.
As a warrior you’re not looking for a fight, but you also won’t back down if one comes your way. On the other hand you probably are looking for a challenge, something to push your personal limits, test your character and skill.
Vigor and aggressiveness to me can also be seen as passion. It’s not necessarily the unwillingness to compromise, which is actually an important quality, it’s the idea that when a warrior does something, he does it to the best of his ability, and then some.
When a warrior works he works harder than anyone, when a warrior has a family, he takes care of their needs first, and his needs second. A warrior lives life with passion, with the knowledge that each day could be his or her last.
Life is short, why waste not being your best?
How do we show courage in life?
Courage might be the easiest characteristic to explain, but the hardest to actually practice.
More on courage in the next article…
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Who is your favorite example of a WARRIOR?
