Live Your Life

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Its taken me a while to get around to it but I finally watched Act of Valor (ironically on Independence Day) and the movie delivered a powerful message.

When I say powerful…I mean POWERFUL.

Now, I’m not going to make this post a movie critic style review…

…but if you’ve seen the flick you probably already know that there were several aspects of the movie that were rather subpar when reviewed professionally and objectivelly.

Especially the acting…

…BUT, if you focus on the primary message of the movie instead of the movie’s weaknesses, there is a lot you can learn from it….

…stuff that you can apply to your personal life, your relationships, your career, and even to your training.

Here is a short poem from the movie that I thought was worth sharing.

It’s allegedly written by the iconic and heroic Native American Chief Tecumseh, the leader of the Shawnee tribe who is famous for launching Tecumseh’s Confederacy and opposing the United States in the war of 1812.

LIVE YOUR LIFE

“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.”

~ Chief Tecumseh

I think that Chief Tecumseh is simply telling us to live life bodly, be proud of who you are, be an example to others, tell your loved ones that you love them, respect yourself and others, be humble and don’t let ego rule you. Live with generosity, honor, truth, respect, passion, integrity, strength — and above all, live fearlessly.

Pretty powerful stuff, don’t you think? Click ‘LIKE’ if you agree!