skilled in grace, skilled in war

"When the World is at Peace, a gentleman keeps his Sword by his side." - Wu Tsu

"Self-respect is the fruit of discipline." - Abraham J. Heschel 

"Civilize the mind but make savage the body." - Chairman Mao

"Mental bearing/calmness, not skill, is the sign of a matured samurai. A Samurai therefore should neither be pompous nor arrogant." - Tsukahara Bokuden.

"Si vis pacem, para bellum: if you want peace, prepare for war" Latin Proverb

Is it possible for a man to be a warrior and a gentleman at the same time? Vicious in handling a sword while polished in cultured conversation. An unforgiving knight in the battlefield while skilled in culture and etiquette. A ferocious warrior to his opponents while a gentleman to his lady. Frightening in battle while a loving father to his family. Can we find a common ground for chivalry and the Code of Bushido? The legendary samurai of ancient Japan were known to be skilled in combat while skilled in the arts and culture.  The medieval knights of Europe were world renowned skilled in the rules of the court; bound by a Chivalric Code "Protect the weak, defenseless, helpless, and fight for the general welfare of all".

This competence is a most trivial issue in 21st century Marketing and Sales. It is a daily temptation for Sales Professionals. The challenge of achieving ambitious goals while preserving once honor and principles. To be competent while never losing oneself. I have seen the best and the worst in this profession. As it is in war, it can get very ugly out there. Somehow, challenges have a way of bringing out the best and the worst in people. When the dictate of ambition comes, will you have the strength and the wisdom to discern the best decision. Moral strength is very important in the Marketing profession as it is in others. It is when we lose sight of the essentials of life when we are truly lost

Spirituality is very important in finding happiness and pursuing success. Spirituality is the process by which we find moral strength. Thru self awareness we are constantly reminded what is essential in life. In the rigors of living and the friction of pursuing our goals, most of the time, we are overwhelmed; we forget who we are. It is a good process to go back to our roots to find out what is truly essential to us.

The legendary samurai were deeply spiritual warriors who was greatly influenced by the Zen Philosophy. The same applies to the Knights of Europe who placed their allegiance to their King and Pope; offering their lives in the Crusades for spiritual atonement.

In the 21st Century, there must be a code by which Marketing and Sales can be conducted where Grace can work hand in hand with aggressive operation. In protection of doing harm to ourselves where in the absence of a rule a young practitioner may be inclined to be resourceful and tempted to make creative yet unwise measures. In promotion of preserving our humanity in a time of materialism; family is important, need for spirituality, a fathers role in the family, a balance between family and work, need for education where family is at the core, not the school.

A code by which a Sales Professional may preserve his skill in grace in the conduct of war. As christians, we have to discern every day how we can be effective in work while being effective in our faith. Perhaps we can propose the ancient code of old Rome which have guided their civilization in christianizing Europe.

Honor, Courage, Wisdom,  Faith, Duty.