“In my country, we have a name for a warrior with the vision to be just and the courage to show mercy. We call him… El Cid!”
~ Moutamin
As a young boy growing up, I was intrigued by heroes, warriors, and underdogs fighting against great odds. The larger-than-life characters who were portrayed in some movies held me spellbound. The movies were not enough for me, so I read about their valiant actions in countless biographies and historical accounts of their noble deeds. I took it all in. They were awesome.
Even today, I remain inspired by extraordinary people who rise above the fray, the noise, the resistance, to find success.
In today’s fast paced, techno-world, many might ask in wonderment, “Do people like the heroes and warriors of the past still exist?” And if they do, “What makes them tick? How are they able to overcome such great odds to find amazing success?” I have pondered these questions in my own mind searching for the answers.
Based upon my own readings and life experiences, I was able to compile a list of some of the common traits often found within these warrior-type individuals. Here it is:
- Freedom was important to them.
- They were vulnerable.
- They had uncanny, unwavering focus.
- Humility was a serious virtue of theirs. They overcame a fear of death.
- They cultivated their courage along the way.
- Persistence and perseverance permeated their behaviors.
- They knew that pain, both emotional and physical, was only a test.
- They understood selflessness and were unselfish.
- Honor differentiated them over the others.
- They identified resistance, inside and out, and conquered it.
- They had a spiritual-side and a strong reverence for sacred-things.
- Adversity was their companion, they embraced it willingly.
- They practiced numerous plans; always sought solutions to the problems in their way.
- They helped others in need, to be their best.
- Desiring great wealth was not their endgame, money did not motivate them.
Recommended reading:
- “From Suffering to Peace: The True Purpose of Mindfulness” (2019) by Mark Coleman
- “Feel the Fear & Do It Anyways: Dynamic Techniques for Turning Fear, Indecision, ad Anger into Power, Action, and Love” (2019) by Susan Jeffers PhD, and Hay House
- “Art of War” (500 B.C.) by Sun Tzu
- “The Power of Adversity: The Setbacks of Life are Only Setups for Extraordinary Comebacks” (2016) by Byron Wesley
- “The Spartans: The World of Warrior-Heroes of Ancient Greece” (2004) by Paul Cartledge
- “The Black Prince: England’s Greatest Medieval Warrior” (2018) by Michael Jones and James Cameron Stewart
- “Joan of Arc: A Life Transfigured” (2014) by Kathryn Harris
- “Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” (1885) by Ulysses S. Grant
- “The Warriors Book of Virtues: A Field Manual for Living Your Best Life” (2019) by Nick Benas and Matthew Bloom
- Suggested movie:
- “El Cid” (1961) Drama starring Charlton Heston & Sophia Loren