The Real Con 088 - The Focus of Loyalty

Soft skills to live in a hard world. Seeking wisdom, discipline and more to leave my world a little better than I found it…

Hey there,

This week I managed to log 3,282+ miles in the air and 196+ miles in the car. The craziest part is I didn't even leave the United States.

While it can be challenging, that amount of time on the road can be useful to reflect, to think, to regroup if you let it. 

On the other hand, it can be exhausting as you try to focus on the task at hand and make progress regardless of your situation - dodging traffic jams, flight delays, or irate travelers.

Here are 3 quotes, the most interesting thing I learned this week, 1 essay, and 1 question to reflect on.

3 Quotes

“If you want to rectify your appearance, you have to correct and clarify what you think inside.” - Yamaga Soko, The Way of the Knight, 17th Century

“What am I doing with my soul? 

Interrogate yourself, to find out what inhabits your so-called mind and what kind of soul you have now.” - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Book Five, 2nd Century

“The virtue of a person is measured not by his outstanding efforts but by his everyday behavior.” - Blaise Pascal, 17th Century

The Most Interesting Thing I Learned this Week

"Hatamoto" (旗本) is a term that translates from Japanese to English as "guardian of the flag.” The bannerman. He was the one responsible for the culture of the shogun who was the military ruler of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. 

In a way, the hatamoto (旗本) is responsible for the culture. He is responsible for building loyalty within the organization of the Tokugawa shogunate. Even today, brands, companies, people seek your loyalty. But do you give it feely? Or do you give it with thought and precision?

The Focus of Loyalty

“Remind yourself that your task is to be a good human being…remind yourself what nature demands of people. Then do it, without hesitation.” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Thousands of miles away, many centuries before Marcus, Gao Chai was the governor of Wei, an ancient Chinese province. Gao Chai, although 30 years younger than Confucius, was a student of his teachings.

During a rebellion Chai walked to the front of his city and locked the gate. A resident told him there was a shortcut out of the city. He could avoid the rebellion. 

Chai simply replied, “I’ve heard that a noble man does not take shortcuts.”

How is it that men from different centuries, different continents, and different cultures are focused on the same ideas? This wisdom is innate. It is timeless. It is instinctive in our soul.

In The Way of the Knight several thousand years after Chai, Yamaga warns us to not look for shortcuts or byways. Walking on the street in feudal Japan could be dangerous. It was more important to scout your way in the mud or snow than when the sun was shining with no one was on the street. The more treacherous the journey, the more important the preparation. Any passage by foot could be difficult. But if an attendant or Samurai cared about their organization, he would venture out down the path alone to make sure the rest of the group could make the trek.

The Samurai often talk about what it takes to be a Man of Mettle. They adopt a way of life that is one in the same with their work. Just as your thoughts will determine your actions which will determine your character. What you read determines your thoughts. How you body feels determines your thoughts. The types of challenges you learn to overcome determines your thoughts.

“If you have no endurance even in respect to food and drink, what can you endure?” - Yamaga Soko, The Way of the Knight

Loyalty is not something we are innately born with. It is hard to describe but easy to see. Today too many companies and individuals can survive without loyalty. But that does not mean we cannot be loyal with our own actions, our own thoughts, our own character. Loyalty matters when the journey becomes challenging. Then you will see not only what you are made of, but who you are. Loyalty demands a level of focus that can feel uncomfortable. But it is always worth it. I would rather be

At the end of the day, how can we all focus on being more loyal to ourselves, our families, our friends, our colleagues?

1 Question to Reflect on

Have you thought about who you want to be, not what you want to do?

In Closing...

Any feedback, suggestion, or critique is welcome: feel free to reply (if you got this in your inbox) or send an email to [email protected].

Stay sharp,

Michael

#088

The Real Con

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