The new year seems like a perfect time to start fresh; a new chapter; a clean sheet with which to envision yourself and where you’d like your journey to go. Wherever you have been in the past or who you’ve been in the past is not nearly as important as where you are going in the future and the kind of person you’ll need to be to get there. Can you be present-minded enough to realize your power to take control of your destiny? Have a warriorship plan.

I can’t help but think most of us do this – contemplate a change in ourselves. Of course, this is no small undertaking. Meaningful changes require courage, willpower, and focus on a clear objective. Without a clear objective, you don’t know where you’ll end up.  This is a good time to revisit last month’s article, too, where I addressed the important difference between goals and resolutions. So, a clearly stated goal is a requisite, but you also need the courage of your convictions to get where you are going.  As Abraham Lincoln said, “discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most”. You will need to embrace the ideals of warriorship to complete this journey.

I have a simple plan that I can share with you to help find your inner warrior. That is my mission: to advocate for the “warrior lifestyle”. Warriorship is a calling, but anyone can be one. Often, it comes to some individuals naturally, but it can be developed in others if it is with intention.

Warriorship

Warriorship as a social institution is centuries old and is universal to all cultures.  The Japanese Samurai’s code of Bushido has greatly influenced my approach and the plan I would like to share with you.

First of all, to be a warrior, one must commit themselves to two things:

  1. One must prepare (this means to train, improve yourself, and work)
  2. One must serve (we prepare so that we may help others)

But how do we prepare so that we are able to be of service should the need arise? This is a complicated question for which there is no simple answer.  However, it is helpful to visual three pillars:  1) States of mind, 2) Keys to Health, and 3) Virtues.

There are five (5) keys to health

  1. Rational Nutrition
  2. Sensible Exercise
  3. Sufficient Rest
  4. Proper Hygiene
  5. Positive Attitude

There are seven (7) virtues that must be cultivated

  1. Integrity
  2. Courage
  3. Compassion
  4. Politeness/Propriety
  5. Honesty/Sincerity
  6. Honor
  7. Loyalty

There are three (3) states of mind that need be present

  1. Zanshin – Alertness/Awareness (can also be considered as Preparedness)
  2. Mushin – Clear Mind
  3. Fudoshin – Emotional Balance

We don’t have time in one article to thoroughly cover each of three pillars and all they contain.  To start the new year, let’s all focus on the second pillar, which includes the five keys to health.

I’m asking you to make these five keys to health a priority in your overall plan.  You’re going to need to eat well, exercise on a regular basis, get enough rest, live clean, and always remember… a smile is free, there is no excuse not to have one.

See you on the mats at Coach Decker! Welcome back!