Echoes of Excellence: How Our Choices in Life Shape Our Legacy
Discovering the Stoic and Samurai values of Virtue, Self-Control, Acceptance, and Gratitude for a Fulfilling Life.
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As warriors, we understand that death is not something to be feared, but rather embraced as a natural part of life.
We recognize that at the end of our journey, we will be left with nothing but a bed to lay on, and the cognitive function to reflect on our lives. We will think back on how we treated others, our biggest regrets, our greatest triumphs, our first love, our last love, what we could have done better, and our old friends. We will contemplate how we spent our time, what our purpose was, and if we pursued our dreams. We will reflect on our character, and how we were perceived by others. These are the major themes we will think back on, and they are the themes that life truly comes down to.
“What we do in life echos in eternity”
The quote “what we do in life echos in eternity” is often attributed to th character Maximus Decimus Meridius in the film Gladiator (2000), spoken by the actor Russell Crowe. The quote is meant to convey the idea that our actions and choices in life have a lasting impact and will be remembered long after we are gone. It suggests that we should be mindful of the impact of our actions and strive to live a life that is true to our values and principles.
This quote is also associated with the Stoic concept of “living in agreement with nature” which means that our actions and choices should be guided by reason and virtue, and that our ultimate goal should be to live a life of excellence.
As warriors, we believe that it is important to consider these themes while we are still in the present moment. We must ask ourselves, what can we do to make a better impact while we are here? Who can we help, and how can we help? Where is help needed? What fight are we taking part in, and how are we counteracting the evil in the world? How can we add beauty, strength, truth, character, goodness, and courage to this world?
We must think about these things and plan around them, as they are what truly matter most:
- Living in accordance with virtue and moral principles
- Cultivating inner wisdom and self-control
- Practicing acceptance of what is out of our control
- Recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and pleasures
- Finding purpose and meaning in life
- Maintaining a sense of equanimity in the face of adversity
- Cultivating gratitude for what we have
- Being mindful of our thoughts and actions
- Cultivating compassion and understanding for others
- Pursuing a life of simplicity and detachment from material possessions.
“Living in accordance with virtue and moral principles”
is a central concept in both Stoicism and the warrior mindset. It means living one’s life in a way that aligns with the principles of right and wrong, and striving to live up to the virtues that are considered most important. For a Stoic, this might include virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and self-control. For a warrior, it might include virtues such as honor, loyalty, bravery, and discipline. In both cases, the idea is to strive to live one’s life in a way that is morally upright and virtuous, and to be guided by these principles in all that one does. This is seen as a path to a meaningful and fulfilling life, and a way to develop the strength and resilience needed to face the challenges of life with courage and integrity.
“Cultivating inner wisdom and self-control”
is another central concept in both Stoicism and the warrior mindset. It refers to the practice of developing one’s inner understanding and self-discipline in order to gain a better understanding of oneself and the world, and to have greater control over one’s own thoughts, emotions, and actions.
For a Stoic, this might involve practices such as meditation, introspection, and the study of philosophy in order to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and the world, and to develop the ability to detach oneself from negative emotions and reactions.
For a warrior, this might involve practices such as physical training, meditation, and mindfulness in order to gain greater control over one’s body and mind, and to develop the discipline and focus needed to perform well in battle or other challenging situations.
Both warrior and Stoic would aim to align their thoughts and actions with virtue and moral principles, and to be guided by inner wisdom and self-control in all that they do. This is seen as a path to a more fulfilling and meaningful life, and a way to develop the strength and resilience needed to face the challenges of life with courage and integrity.
“Practicing acceptance of what is out of our control”
is a key concept in both Stoicism and the warrior mindset. It refers to the practice of accepting and not resisting the things that are beyond our control, and instead focusing on what we can control.
For a Stoic, this might involve recognizing that many things in life, such as natural disasters, the actions of other people, or even death, are beyond our control, and that it is futile to try to change them. Instead, the Stoic would focus on cultivating inner wisdom and self-control, and on accepting these things with equanimity and grace.
For a warrior, this might involve accepting the reality of the battlefield, and the fact that many things, such as the outcome of a battle, are beyond their control. Instead of worrying about these things, the warrior would focus on what they can control, such as their own actions, their attitude, and their level of preparedness.
Both warrior and Stoic would aim to cultivate a sense of detachment and equanimity in the face of things that are beyond their control, and to focus instead on the things they can control, such as their own thoughts, emotions, and actions. This is seen as a way to reduce stress and anxiety, and to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
“Recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and pleasures”
means understanding that material possessions and temporary pleasures are not permanent and ultimately do not bring true satisfaction or happiness. This is an important aspect of living life as a warrior or stoic, as it encourages individuals to focus on inner wisdom, self-control, and virtue rather than seeking external validation and temporary pleasures. It also helps one to detach oneself from the external influences, events and people, and focus on one’s inner self, which is the only thing that is permanent. By understanding that worldly possessions and pleasures are fleeting, one can become less attached to them and thus less affected by the ups and downs of life. It is a way to cultivate inner peace and equanimity.
“Finding purpose and meaning in life”
means discovering a sense of direction and motivation for living. It is an important aspect of living life as a warrior or stoic, as it encourages individuals to strive for something greater than themselves and to live with intention and purpose. This can mean different things to different people, and may involve pursuing a career, a passion, or a cause that aligns with one’s values and principles.
For a warrior, it might mean dedicating themselves to a noble cause, a duty or service to others, or to a specific set of values. Living with purpose and meaning gives them a sense of direction and helps them to stay focused on what is truly important.
For a stoic, it could be about living in accordance with virtue and moral principles, and finding purpose in living a good and virtuous life. They aim to live in a way that is consistent with their beliefs and values, and to find meaning in the pursuit of wisdom and self-improvement.
Ultimately, finding purpose and meaning in life helps individuals to live a more fulfilling and satisfying life, and to leave a positive impact on the world around them.
“Maintaining a sense of equanimity in the face of adversity”
means remaining calm and composed in difficult situations, rather than allowing oneself to be overwhelmed by negative emotions such as fear, anger, or despair. This concept is closely associated with the philosophy of stoicism, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining inner peace and self-control in the face of external challenges. In the warrior philosophy, it implies that one should remain composed and level-headed in the face of danger or adversity, rather than allowing oneself to be controlled by fear or panic.
“Cultivating gratitude for what we have”
means actively focusing on and appreciating the things that one currently possesses, rather than dwelling on what is lacking or what could be better. This concept is closely associated with the philosophy of stoicism, which emphasizes the importance of being content with what one has and recognizing that many of our desires and wants are fleeting and ultimately unimportant. In the warrior philosophy, it implies that one should be thankful for what they have and use that appreciation to keep going in difficult times. It also implies that one should not take things for granted, but rather appreciate the little things and be mindful of the things that they have.
“Being mindful of our thoughts and actions”
means being aware of and paying attention to one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and taking responsibility for them. This concept is closely associated with the philosophy of stoicism and mindfulness, which emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and being aware of our actions and thoughts, rather than allowing ourselves to be controlled by them. In the warrior philosophy, it implies that one should be aware of their thoughts and actions and take responsibility for them, rather than acting impulsively or without consideration. It also implies that one should be aware of their surroundings and stay alert, in order to be ready for any situation that may arise.
“Cultivating compassion and understanding for others”
means developing empathy and a sense of caring for others, and making an effort to understand their perspectives and experiences. This concept is closely associated with the philosophy of stoicism and warrior philosophy which emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interconnectedness of all people and the shared human experience. In the warrior philosophy, it implies that one should have compassion for others, and to understand that other people are also facing challenges and difficulties in their lives. It also implies that one should treat others with respect and kindness, even in difficult situations or during conflicts. In the Stoic philosophy, it means that one should strive to see the humanity in others and to understand that all people are subject to the same universal laws, and that ultimately we are all in this together.
“Pursuing a life of simplicity and detachment from material possessions”
means living a life that is characterized by minimalism, self-sufficiency, and a focus on inner values rather than external possessions. This concept is closely associated with the philosophy of stoicism and warrior philosophy which emphasizes the importance of living a virtuous life, being content with what one has, and not being overly attached to material possessions. In the warrior philosophy, it implies that one should avoid becoming overly attached to material possessions and focus on what is truly important, such as honor, duty, and serving others. In the Stoic philosophy, it means that one should strive to minimize distractions and excesses in order to focus on what is truly important and to live a life that is in alignment with one’s values and virtues.
Momento Mori
We must also remember that as warriors, we must remain detached from the outcome, and focus on our actions. We must strive to live virtuously, and to fight the good fight, making these priorities. We must strive to leave it all out there, to give everything we can. When we are on our deathbeds, going through our last few breaths, and reflecting on our time here on earth, we want to be able to say that we truly lived a virtuous and meaningful life.
So let us be mindful of these themes, and make the most of the time we have left. Let us embrace death as a natural part of life and focus on living a virtuous and meaningful life.
