“Waste no time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” - Marcus Aurelius

Reflection 4

Shiken haramitsu daikoumyo. This was recited at the start and finish of the Ninjutsu training sessions I took part in some 16 years ago. It’s a Japanese mantra that roughly translates to “every moment has the potential for greatness”. To this day I draw upon those echoes in an often mundane dance of existence.

To shape our lives with deliberate acts of intention we must stand firmly rooted in a consistent present, gaze unwavering, undistracted by the flickering shadows of a world enthralled by escapism. One could almost identify these little pleasures as hostile attacks, for in distraction, the mind fractures, splintering focus and diluting the potency of will.

I seek a love affair with the mundane, to find joy in the labor of my days, knowing each task is a step on a path of my own making. In writing, I draw upon depth and clarity. In training, I expand my limits. In service to others, I touch the essence of humanity. As a man, as a father, I embrace the ordinariness of my existence, for within it lies the extraordinary. I will pour my essence into this process, to nurture it with the fervor of a lover, whilst discarding the weight of trivial diversion. This is the arena of my choosing where I will contend with myself, forging a man worthy of remembrance.

The wisdom of the ancients remains true across time and space. There is greatness nestled within each passing moment, and each one of us decides what to do with them.

"Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." -Marcus Aurelius.