Always Do the Best You Can Do
Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better. Maya Angelou
There are many people in our world who do not understand what it means to live a life of character, honor, integrity, and inner peace. They grew up without parents or a mentor to guide them in the ways of honor. Maybe they were bullied at school or on the streets, and the best that they could do was to survive any way they could.
That said, there are very few people in our country today who do not know right from wrong, at least when it comes to the basics of living in an organized community. And those who do care to improve themselves have plenty of opportunities to do so. The problem is that most people have not been taught the importance of living a life of character, honor, and integrity, so they do not make the effort to know better or to do better where that is concerned.
When most people know that there is a better way to live their life, they start to make changes in their lives. They find ways to improve themselves, make a better living, find a better place to live, etc. Those changes almost come naturally for most. But when it comes to the benefits of striving to perfect one’s character and live a life of honor, that does not come naturally; that must be taught by someone who understands the way of honor, integrity, and inner peace.
That is one reason that martial arts instructors and mentors must integrate the ways of character, honor, integrity, and inner peace into their teachings and lessons. Don’t hope that your students somehow learn the value of honor, integrity, and inner peace from someone else; take the time to teach them yourself. Teach them the value of living a life of character and integrity. Teach them the value of living with inner peace and integrity. Teach them the way of honor. Teach them the value of being a man of his word. If you do not teach them, who will? Who is going to care enough to teach them how to live their life to the fullest, if their instructor or mentor doesn’t?
When you have people who look up to you, admire you, and listen to what you teach, you have been charged with an important responsibility. Make sure you don’t drop the ball! You have the power to change someone’s life for the better, but you must grab that opportunity quickly, as you never know when it will be too late. You know better, now you have the responsibility to do better! Warrior up and get serious about the influence you have with those seeking knowledge and a better way. Bohdi Sanders ~ author of the multiple award-winning book, The Art of Inner Peace, available from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937884279. Signed copies are available from: https://www.the-art-of-inner-peace.com/.
