I am a Warrior…
I have said these words to myself on more occasions then I can count, giving them lip service and never truly beliving it myself. I liked to believe that I was somehow different from the masses of sheep that mill about in their pitiful, day to day existances and do exactly what they are told, eat what they are told, and wear what they are told.
Today, I am a warrior. I am responsible for the safety of my family and I am the sole keeper of my own honor. The honor of my wife, my daughter, and my friends are also my responsibility to a lesser extent, but do not think I will not protect their safety and honor as if it were my own. I am loyal, I am just, and I am compassionate. I will temper my justice with mercy, and I will weigh my desire against generosity.
I am a Warrior, my training, both mental and physical, are my responsibility and I must condition myself to best of my ability everyday so that I might protect those I love. I must fight as a Warrior to get that last rep every single time, I must ignore the pain, and persevere to ensure the survival of myself and my family.
I am a Warrior, I must nourish my body to ensure the training I need while not giving in to baseless self indulgence. Just because something tastes good does not mean it is good, in fact it is most likely poison. I must ensure that I put the proper fuel into myself so that I am able when the call is made to protect my family and condition my body.
I am a Warrior. I must amass knowledge of my art, my conditioning, and my diet so that I am as informed as possible. It is my duty to myself to learn as much as possible about the topics I need to be versed in.
I am a Warrior. I must condition my mind and forget the petty matters that mean very little. I must listen more and say less as I surely cannot learn if my mouth is open and my ears are closed.
I am a Warrior, honor, justice, mercy, preaux, largesse, courage, nobility, and hope are now my brothers. I shall hold them dear as I hold myself dear.
