The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #13 - Substance Before Symbol
Symbol before substance -
pandemic renowned.
Symbol before substance -
deluded clown. Substance Before Symbol -
turn it around. Substance Before Symbol -
deservéd crown!
Beware that you do not lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.
Be not deceived with the first appearance of things, for show is not substance.
The leader shows that style is no substitute for substance.
In so many ways the civilization of the 21st Century lives in the delusion that symbol is more important than substance,
that the character of who we are has been turned inside-out and upside-down to where it’s more important to be
superficially adorned with the trappings of celebrity, fame, name, power, wealth, status, popularity and gamesmanship
than it is to be anchored in principles of character, humility, honesty, honor, dignity, purity and substance.
The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #12 - Competence Creates Confidence
Action and reaction;
Cause and consequence.
It is no mystery that Competence Creates Confidence.
Reason’s whole pleasure, all the joys of sense,
Lie in three words—Health, Peace, and Competence.
Nothing creates confidence more than competence. Telling someone they’re good at something, giving them pats on the
back, kisses on the cheek, big hugs and positive words of how great they are don’t, nor can’t, build true confidence.
Only competence creates confidence.
The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #11 - True Power Flows, Not Shows
From dusk to dawn the world goes
circling sun with highs and lows;
within this journey Greatness knows True Power Flows Not Shows.
Learn this from the waters: in mountain clefts and chasms loud gush the streamlets, but great rivers run silently.
Things that are empty make a noise; the full is always quiet.
This is a very simple truth which needs no great explanation. If we are truly powerful, our power will flow from us as
easily as water down a mountain. It will not be forced. It need not be announced. It will just flow and it will flow
silently as great rivers flow silently.
The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #10 - A Black Belt Without Humility is Like a Well Without Water
Humility is the highest form of strength;
Arrogance the highest form of weakness.
As a silo sits vacant of fodder, A Black Belt Without Humility Is Like A Well Without Water.
We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
If I have seen further, it is only by standing on the shoulders of Giants.
The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #9 - Character Must Precede Prowess
In the wisdom of time
with its messages ageless,
the pinnacle of all is that Character Must Precede Prowess.
The first essential step to a spiritual life is character. One may deceive one’s friends, relatives and even oneself,
but the Power within is not deceived.
For he who is honest is noble, whatever his fortunes or birth.
Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value.
The Black Belt Book of Life - Topic #8 - Character Is More Important Than Victory
In a phenomenal world
with its contents illusory,
of all the triumphs Character Is More Important Than Victory.
The gem cannot be polished without friction.
Only a man’s character is the real criterion of worth. Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you’ll be
criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be
strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
