This is a kick start to 2015. Happy New Year to all. Let’s make 2015 another great year.
Before we jump into this article, I want to clear the air. I’m not proclaiming I’m at the point where I am complete, nor have I experienced everything this vast world has to offer. I am not trying to impress anyone with feats of greatness. I only seek to forge a legendary existence for myself that in truth will probably never fully be realized. It’s a paradox. The closer you get, the further away you get.
In 5-10 years’ time you will look back at the individual you once were, and see how you’ve hopefully grown, achieved and become better than your previous self. In no way however, will you be fully complete.
That constant drive to outdo yourself and improve would otherwise not exist.
Strange as it sounds, therein lies the beauty.
Here’s 10 steps (in no particular order) that I deem of high importance and value, which drive me forward in my quest to mold myself into a true warrior. They comprise the foundation of my outlook and attitude in life. I make my best effort to incorporate these steps into my life wherever feasible and in doing so they’ve enabled me to become a tougher, resilient and more valuable human being.
Perhaps by implementing them in your life, you can experience the same.
Anyways, that’s enough introductory chatter. Lets get to the real substance.
1) Break the Mold
Don’t be afraid to live. Sometimes you have to do something extreme and throw yourself into the deep end if you really want to know what you’re made of, test your resolve and grow as a person.
I think back to a time a few years ago, two pals and I got on our bicycles for what was to be a short, leisurely ride in our locality. We ended up riding 8 miles out into uncharted territory. The journey itself was made more challenging by the fact that I was riding with a flat front tyre, which due to a slow puncture was gradually having the life sucked out of it, like the kiss of death. (The chains were also pretty badly rusted).
To the general public we probably looked like 3 morons, but I didn’t much care. The thrill of the ride and thirst for adventure was all that really mattered. Long story short, we got lost a few times, made a few pit stops and wound up being out for a few hours. In total we rode 16 miles that day.
The next day I couldn’t walk straight, but man, the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction was one of the best damn feelings I’d had. I’d broken out of the ordinary and done something new.
2) Face fears
You can’t live in fear. A warrior, despite his deepest, darkest fears never lets them get in the way of his mission. You and I will probably deal with fears till the very end. Acknowledge it and move on. The only real fear you should have is the fear of a life wasted. A life of stagnation is the main thing that frightens me. The thought of not living up to the potential and high standard I’ve set for myself.
Imagine lying on your deathbed, reminiscing over your life and realising just how little you actually did and achieved with your limited time here on earth. That to me is one hell of a scary scenario.
3) View hardship and struggles as tests
See your struggles and hardships as tests, tests of resilience and your ability to “stick it out.” Tests that prove you’re ready to move on with the next phase and evolution of your life, and bring you a step closer to that legendary self you envision. This is probably the hardest thing on this list to do, staying positive in times of turmoil and anguish. If ever there was a quality that separates the warriors from common folk, this is it.
We all go through hardships and times of suffering in life. However, those who complain about their circumstances and badger others with tales of their problems demonstrate their weakness. Be like a tree. Remain rooted firmly in the ground. Don’t let your problems get the better of you. There’s always something to be learned from a situation, provided you’re willing to learn.
4) Dissolve labels
Preoccupation with labelling, defining and otherwise chasing status is a form of disillusionment. It’s an impurity. Forget about judging others. Instead, focus on living your life and becoming the best version of yourself that you can. Labelling and comparing yourself with others only leads to negativity and bitterness towards them in the form of jealousy, envy and resentment. If others attempt to label and define you, let them. Just don’t get wrapped up in it and give more attention to it than it deserves.
5) Reflect and refine
Keep a diary or journal. Write down your goals, both current and future. Reflect on where you are in your own development. Are you progressing towards the life you want for yourself? Are you taking steps towards becoming that warrior? If you’re not happy with your current progress, start refining. Make the necessary changes to your life. Maybe you aren’t happy with your physique. Start going to the gym and change your eating habits. We all need to reflect and refine from time to time. I use my journal to evaluate my progress, to gauge whether I am meeting my targets or not. I do this on a daily basis. Doing so helps bring accountability into your life. It keeps you in the game, preventing you from screwing progress by doing something stupid, that’s not in line with your goals.
6) Embrace unease
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Do what others lack the conviction to. Where others flee and choose the path of least resistance thrust yourself into the fire and it’ll strengthen and harden you in ways unimaginable.
This is the reason I train hard, endure cold showers morning and night. Each morning I do a series of knuckle and fingertip pushups. (They’re a pain, literally).
Some people will never understand the real reasoning and true meaning behind it. I want to toughen and harden myself in every way I possibly can.
Training yourself to thrive in situations of discomfort is probably one of the greatest investments you can give yourself. It prepares you for situations, which maybe unlikely, yet potentially pose a threat. In this world you have to expect the unexpected.
When you find yourself getting too comfortable, that’s the time to be worried.
7) Govern yourself
Pledge allegiance to none other than yourself. Be self-reliant. You’ve only got yourself to count on and it’s all you’ll ever really have, during the good times or bad. Never blame others for your failures and don’t expect others to have your best interest at heart. Be your own man or woman and live independently.
8) Be in tune with yourself
In a world plagued with technology and modern invention, people have grown out of touch with themselves and their surroundings. I’m not bashing technology. It’s definitely had a positive impact on the world and has its time and place. However, most people have become far too dependent on technology and cling to it all the time. It’s a damn joke. Like they can’t live without it.
If you really want to maximise your skills and become the best version of yourself possible, you need to be connected with yourself on the deepest level. Be in tune with your body. Listen to it. It gives you signals all the time.
Spend sometime mediating daily, you’ll begin to understand the ways you can control your mood and emotions. It’s an incredible feeling and way to go through life. Knowing you’re in the drivers seat, cruising. This is something I really began honing in on over the past year.
9) Devote yourself to something larger than yourself
Ra’s Al Ghul’s line to Batman pretty much say’s it. “If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote yourself to an ideal and they can’t stop you. You become something else entirely. A legend, Mr Wayne.”
As a warrior you should be willing to help your fellow man. Consider it an obligation to offer your support to those in need and less fortunate than you.
In today’s cutthroat, selfish world that’s asking a lot, I know. There are few truly willing to go out of their way to do it.
Bear this in mind. If you can’t do good for someone, have some damn decency and don’t go out of your way to do bad for them. That’s a tendency of cowards, losers and the spineless.
10) Use force as a last resort when reason fails
Back when I was 6 years old I was waiting in line with other school kids to be let into class one day. On this particular day I had the pleasure of being inline next to this wise cracking kid, who kept whispering nonsense into my ear and irritating the hell out of me. I told him to get stuffed (real polite like) and he kept doing it. (Kids). Having had enough, in one fluid motion I clocked him in the nuts.
As you can imagine, his immediate reaction was to clasp them as he slumped to the floor in tears.
(To make the situation funnier my mum was there, as she happened to help out at the school and was fortunate enough, depending on how you look at it to witness the whole thing).
Obviously it was a very harsh thing to do, we did ultimately become good friends later.
The point is, sometimes resorting to violence is necessary. However, it should only be used as a last line of defence when all other means have failed.
Closing thoughts
These are not intended as lessons. I am not trying to lecture you and tell you how to live your life. That’s something you must decide and choose for yourself.
Follow your own path.
This post is a reflective point for me.
It’s a way for me to evaluate where I am at this stage in the journey to forge my own legendary life.
Keep striving and make 2015 a better year than the last. Going forward this year, live grander, set higher goals and work your ass off to achieve them.
That is the warrior’s way and the path to carving a legendary existence.
Got anything to share? If you’re on a similar path, what aids you in your quest? I’d love to hear from you. Leave your comments below.
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Great lessons to learn and follow.
Awesome to hear from you. Thanks for the comment. It’s the way I live life. I’ve found applying these principles to have a positive impact on the bearing of my life. I’m confident they will enhance the lives of others, if applied.