I came across an interesting bit while researching ancient warfare. It seems the author attributed the naming of the month of March to the beginning of the campaign season. Being that armies could now ford rivers and would begin marching toward fields of battle. It is also observed that most fighting was done in the summer months and curtailed by the fall in time for harvest. Of course there are numerous historical battles that would be in stark contrast to this. However none of this is to my point.
“Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.” ~Heraclitus
When you head out into your training you certainly should never consider yourself part of that bottom 10%. Because you are here, at the precipice. In the ring of your own Agoge. If you belong in that 10% quit now and save everyone the trouble of listening to you whine. But you are not of that ilk. No you are not.
Perhaps you feel you are merely a target. And perhaps you are. You feel slow and weak. Tired and alone. But you aren’t. Because you are here. Through discipline you will become stronger and faster. You will become a moving target. A moving target is hard to hit. Through courage and tenacity you will engage your challenges. Targets do not engage. Once you have decided to face your challenge, looked it in the eye and not cowered away, then you have become one of the nine, a real fighter. You needn’t be the fastest, or the strongest. What you need to do is to hold the line. To move forward. The power of the Spartan Phalanx was never it’s strongest soldier. NO the strength of a phalanx was it’s weakest soldier. If he breaks all is lost. BUT if he can hold on, stand his ground, and inch forward in the face of certain failure oh the tides of war he can change!
In that soldier is the Warrior, the weakest link. The one who chose discipline over bravado. The one who did what was asked of him and did it without seeking glory. There my friends is your 1%. There is your warrior. And he will bring the others back!
Being a warrior is about courage, discipline, and commitment. Honor, sacrifice and integrity. Being a warrior is doing what you said you would do, because you said you would. Not doing it for honors and accolades though they may be bestowed. Being a warrior is doing it for the personal satisfaction of a job well done.
Go out and train. Run miles. Good miles. Suffer through bad miles. Walking miles if you must. Do good exercises with good form. 1 good pushup will always always beat 10 half assed ones. Said a great man once “It took me 6 weeks to do 100 good push-ups.” Yes said his Trainer but look over at him. When you started he could do 100 bad push-ups to your 10 good ones. And in that same time he can still only do 100 bad push-ups.
Do not be a target be a fighter. Use your discipline and your desire to become a Warrior. Bring the others back.
