The Real Con: the discipline of faith

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank

Over 80 years ago, troops from eight different countries stormed the beaches of Normandy to turn the tide of World War II. The Operation became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Over 130,000 troops landed on five different beaches in the invasion. In less than a year, the war would end with Germany signing an unconditional surrender in France on May 7, 1945.

Many young men and women would make the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom.

Despite our different cultures and different continents, we humans are more similar than we are different. Time has taught us that. History has taught us that. Our shared suffering has taught us that.

We have a shared humanity that unites us in our sacrifices. 

Thousands of years before D-Day around 480 BC, King Leonidas would help unite Greece by sacrificing his life and slowing the Persian invasion with 300 Spartans and several thousand Greek warriors.

Later, Socrates would highlight the importance of being our best self. 

It has been said that he would remind his contemporaries, “Let him that would move the world first move himself.” 

The discipline of faith is based on a simple idea and belief that tomorrow will be better. That my sacrifice today will be worth it.

“To live without hope is to cease to live.” - Fyodor Dostoevsky

Hope and faith are born out of discipline. The discipline of showing up everyday. The discipline of putting in the work to prepare even though you may not notice the progress. 

Winston Churchill chose to lead and believe when others would not. 

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality which guarantees all the rest.” - Winston Churchill

Abraham Lincoln sharpened his mind well before it was needed. 

“I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” - Abraham Lincoln

In 218 BC, when Hannibal decided to take the fight to the Romans during the Second Punic War, he reminded his men about the discipline of faith.

“Aut inveniam viam aut faciam” -Hannibal, Carthagenian General

Latin for "I shall either find a way or make one.” 

Even though his generals told him it was an impossible task to cross the Alps, he knew he had put in the work. He had both the discipline and the faith to find victory where none could be found. Against impossible odds, Hannibal traveled over 1,000 miles with 30,000 men fighting along the way. His journey through the Alps reportedly only took 16 days.

What if we all thought more like the warriors before us?

“I shall either find a way or make one.” - Hannibal, Carthagenian General

What if we all had hope that we are putting in the work to prepare ourselves for tomorrow?

What if we had the faith that we are capable of improving the world around us if we just improve ourselves?

Discipline requires the faith that your sacrifice is worth it. You are creating a better future. 

Faith gives you focus on not only our shared humanity, but on the belief that your work and your sacrifice will be worth the struggle.

Do not wait. Start now. Find your discipline in faith.

Stay sharp,

Michael

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The Real Con

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