Valor: Bold Men in a Timid Society
Courageous.
Bold.
Bravery.
Battle.
Heroic.
What do these words make you think of?
Well for me, they give me thoughts of the military.
I have tremendous respect for our United States Military. These men and women from every branch sign their lives over to fight for our country. Why? Well because FREEDOM is never FREE. In fact, many have given their lives for citizens of this great nation. For them, it's about FIGHTING for something BIGGER than themselves. The well-being and betterment of our country is more important to them than their own safety and their own lives. This is an extraordinary perspective and one I'll be forever grateful for.
In this article, I'd like to propose an idea for you gentlemen to consider.
What would it look like if we became a society filled with MEN OF VALOR?
More specifically, what would your life look like if YOU transformed into a MAN OF VALOR?
Valor is defined (by the legitest word source ever Dictionary.com) as "boldness or determination in facing great danger, especially in battle; heroic courage; bravery."
Let's look at the opposite end.
Timid is defined (again by Dictionary.com) as "lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy. Characterized by or indicating fear."
Part of being a mature adult is being able to take an honest look at yourself and evaluate where you are.
So, where are you?
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 being super timid and 10 being the ultimate man of valor), where do you grade yourself?
The good news is you're still alive and breathing and reading this right now so there is time left to restructure your life.
I want to highlight a few things (in no particular order) that can help you step up your valor score (and they will help me too) a little.
- Know Your Values
- Become a Person of Principle
Know Your Values
I will write another post on values, but you need to know where your focus is. You need to know what you stand for. You need to know what you will and won't do. Be a person of value.
Growth, Leadership, Learning, Integrity are all examples of great values.
Become a Person of Principle
Fact: you either live based on principles or you live based on feelings.
The majority of humans live based on feelings.
If something tastes good, we eat it, whether it benefits our body our not.
If a female looks good, we want her, whether we're in a committed relationship or not.
If something feels good, we gotta have it.
This feelings-driven life will send you into a life filled with regrets.
However, if you can decide now to step your life up into a life of PRINCIPLE, you will learn to love life.
Unfortunately, the principle-driven life is the road less traveled and it's a road requiring discipline; but it's the road that leads to LIFE!
As an example, in my marriage, I live my life on The Principle of Loyalty.
If my wife and I have a disagreement, I'm not going out seeking another woman to give me attention or love. I am living on principle. We just simply disagreed.
I'm also not texting or messaging other women inappropriately or having inappropriate conversations, period.
I'm also not viewing internet pornography which would hinder our marriage relationship.
This is just one of many types of principles. Live on principles with a strong foundation and not on the shaky ground of a feelings-driven life.
So, if you know your values and strive to become a person of principle, you'll be on your way to becoming a man of valor. You'll be on your way to living boldly in the midst of a timid culture around you!
And...I ain't got this all-figured out...I'm working on it too!
Go.
Be.
Great.
Your friend,
Russ W.
