Thanks for all the great feedback from my last post, Are you a victim or a warrior?
There really are only two choices in life. In that piece, I focused on what a warrior doesn’t do: namely, complain or make excuses.
But how does one live like a warrior?
In his writings, Carlos Castaneda talks a lot about being a warrior in life. One of my favorite quotes of his is:
“The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge, while an ordinary man takes everything as a blessing or as a curse.”
But how do you keep up the energy to take everything in life like a challenge?
Better living through bio-chemistry
I tell you, getting up 45 minutes early to do some breathing and physical exercise is one of my top recommendations for a happy and successful life. Even when you are going through challenging times, the energetic boost and mood lift you get by this extra effort is without parallel.
I woke up pretty tired a few days ago, feeling overwhelmed and beginning to feel negative about my situation. But after my morning routine, I felt like my brain was flooded with natural endorphins and I was in an honestly positive state, ready to take on the day like a challenge instead of a curse.
This is so different than if I had just tried to “be positive,” or say some affirmations in the mirror.
Positivity is a state of being, not thinking. And positive thoughts naturally come when you have put yourself in a positive state of being.
A warrior always puts on his or her armor before going into battle. A modern warrior should put on the armor of Positive Being through doing practical exercises in the morning that put him (or her) in the right frame of mind to conquer the demands of the day.
Starting your day without charging yourself up with positive energy is like going to battle without your armor. Don’t do it.
Accept what is
Life is exactly what it is in any particular moment. Wanting it to be different in THAT moment is merely stopping you from doing what it takes to make it different at some other moment.
Fully accepting your current circumstances, relationships, state of being, strengths, weaknesses, etc. allows you to decide what you want to improve or change them from a very practical place.
It also helps you to know exactly what to do in order to change your circumstances if you so desire.
Accepting what is allows you to live in the present moment, which is the only thing that is real for you at the time. And living in the present moment is the key to allowing your energy to flow and staying in a positive state all through the day.
Sometimes, just the act of accepting your internal and external conditions makes them feel better to you.
Resistance drains and weakens your power.
Worry never makes anything better.
Accept what is. Embrace what is.
In every aspect of your life.
And then do what it takes to change whatever you decide no longer belongs in your life.
It will give you clarity of mind and strength of decision.
It allows you to stay in connection with your positive energy and with yourself no matter what happens. When you are in this state, it will always be easier to solve any problem.
Castaneda has another great quote that I love about living life as a warrior:
“The world is unfathomable and mysterious, just as we all are. The art of the warrior consists in reconciling the terror of being alive with the wonder of being alive.”
Live like a warrior, and may you experience the wonder of being alive in every moment.
Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
