Bushido Code-The Warrior's Way of Life

We are coexisting in a highly competitive world and are pressured to try and keep up—to look the part of the successful professional, perfect spouse, and dutiful parent. There is always even bigger and better technology than what we bought months before, and so we want to have the newest and latest of everything. We are rarely satisfied with our “stuff” even if it’s more than our parents had when they were our age. Even during these tough economic times, many couples and families have lifestyles barely within their financial means. In our neighborhood alone, there are many newly built 6000 plus square foot homes that house only two to three people. Our children are being taught to constantly upgrade— toys, cell phones, video game consoles, laptops, clothes, cars and the list continues to grow and expand. When do we stop buying and start saving!

The Bushido code of frugality is an important topic in today’s world. Of course, this code related to warriors that were in public service in comparison to the higher ranked knights of the times, however, there is an important lesson to be learned in modern society about frugality.

What’s written about frugality in the translated version of the Bushido code is that “if those of lesser rank imitate those of greater rank, overspending on useless things, since they do not have any surplus yet their cravings are unjustified, no matter how much they economize they can not compensate. Eventually, they will go broke at a complete loss.” ¹

Certainly those that can afford these items do have the luxury of spending; however, there are deeper questions to be contemplated. Does the need to spend create happiness? Is the buyer looking to fulfill something that can not be satisfied by spending on material objects? Does all this excess spending cause added waste and needless spending?

Researchers have found that low self-esteem and materialism are not just a correlation, but also a causal relationship where low self esteem increases materialism, and materialism can also create low self-esteem.

It’s no coincidence that some of the richest people in the world live in modest homes with economy cars. Rather than spending money to look the part these people use frugality to save money and invest in something that will generate a return. Their money is earning money! Being rich means being as financially independent as possible – almost no life events can impact your situation – and being surrounded by the things you care the most about.

Many of us worry needlessly about money because our security lies in the things we collect and buy and the image that we portray to others. We were taught to spend our money, charge what we can’t afford and look the part of success. Those living the Bushido should help and encourage one another to save money, not be concerned with what others think about our level of success and teach children about frugality. After all, money is not happiness—compassion and understanding bring happiness.

Exercise 1:

The next time you’re tempted to buy something new, ask yourself if this is something you need. If not, put the item back on the store display and walk away. As a reward, take the exact amount of money you would have spent on this item and make a deposit of that amount into your savings account, or even a glass jar at home. Watch the money accumulate!

Exercise 2:

Take stock in how much “stuff” you have and whether you really own these things. Notice how much of this stuff is part of a repayment plan—your personal debt. Start to eliminate unnecessary spending and pay off the credit cards to reduce your debt. Save your money, plan your purchases. When you’ve saved enough money, then buy the item. You’ll actually own your stuff rather than being indebted to a corporation. You’ll feel better about yourself and the purchase in the end.

1. Thomas Cleary, Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shosinshu of Taira Shigesuke. Boston, MA: Tuttle Publishing, 1999.

Eveyone Pays the Toll on The Road of Life

Life is a toll road and everyone pays the toll in one way or another.  What this means is, in life, everything you do has its price.  Every action or choice you make throughout your existence has consequences or results that have a direct impact on who you are and the outcome of your life. The choices you make determine how you pay the toll on the road of life.

 Let me give you a few examples.

 Two Types of Lifestyle Choices and How Each Pays the Toll

 The “Couch Potato”

 Take the stereotypical “couch potato.” This person has a sedentary job, comes home with fast food, and watches the television until it’s time to go to bed. They’re overweight, get no exercise and they have no motivation, drive or ambition.

 This type of person pays their toll in several ways:

1. They squander their time. The time we’re allotted to spend on this earth is finite. We cannot buy, barter or steal any more time. Once it is used, we can’t get it back. The best we can do is to make the most of every moment. The couch potato wastes all of their time, never realizing its true value.
2. In addition, the person that lives this type of lifestyle pays the toll through poor heath. As I mentioned in my previous post, The Warrior’s Way of Life, one in three Americans are obese. Another study by the National Institute of Health shows that 65% of adults in this country are obese. The list of associated health risks with obesity is long and many of them are life threatening. According to the CDC, an estimated 300,000 premature deaths a year can be attributed to obesity. Some of the risks of obesity are listed below. Click on this link to Anne Collins’ website for more details on these health risks:
   •     Heart Disease
   •     Stroke
   •     Type 2 Diabetes
   •     Cancer
   •     Fatty Liver Disease
   •     Chronic Venous Insufficiency
   •     Deep Vein Thrombosis
   •     Arthritis
   •     Increased Health Risks for Expectant Mother and Baby
   •     Gallbladder Diseas
   •     Premature Death
3. Low self esteem and depression are another way that this type of person can pay the toll. American society places a high emphasis on physical appearance. Many obese people feel isolated and have a more difficult time advancing in their careers. Scientists have also found that excessive weight causes a chemical and hormonal imbalance that can lead to depression.

 The “Go-Getter”

 Now let’s look at the individual at the other end of the spectrum. The Stereotypical “go-getter”. This person typically is physically fit, has a high paying job or owns a successful business, drives a nice car and owns a big house. Most people believe that this type of person is “living the life” and typically has everything handed to them on a silver platter. They don’t believe that this person has ever paid a toll in their life.

 Let me show you how they do:

1. Just like the couch potato, the go-getter also pays the toll with their time. However, they use their time very differently than the couch potato. The go-getter invests their time into education and personal development. This person is generally the “A” student in school, they went to an Ivy League or tier one college, and continue to read, improve and educate themselves after college. Many work 12-15 hours per day! They are usually out of bed by 5:00 a.m. to workout because it’s the only time that fits their busy schedule.
2. Another way the go-getter pays the toll is through hard work and self discipline. They are continually setting goals and taking action to achieve them. They generally have the endurance to persevere where most would give up and quit. As their name suggests, the go-getter realizes that success is never given away, it is earned. Instead of waiting for good things in life to come to them, they go out and get them.

 You Can Choose How to Pay the Toll

 Both of the individuals in these examples have paid the toll in very different ways. The couch potato may have benefited from relaxation early on but was forced to pay the toll after with the price of poor health, low self esteem and an uneventful life. The second paid the toll up front through hard work and discipline and enjoyed success, health and prosperity later. Nevertheless, both paid the toll.

 “Life is a toll road and everyone pays the toll. However, you can choose how to you would like to pay!”

 Personal Action Exercises

• Take a look everyday at the choices you make in life. Decide if this is how you want to pays your toll. If it isn’t, resolve to make the necessary changes to pay the toll on your terms.
• From this day forward, decide exactly what it is you want from your life. Write down your goals and dreams and then decide how much they’re worth to you to achieve them. Then decide how you’ll pay the toll to get them.

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