Nunchucks, Warriors, & Master Po

HE WHO CONQUERS HIMSELF IS THE GREATEST WARRIOR.

-MASTER PO, KUNG FU

When was the last time that we were completely honest when someone asked us "How's it going?" I must get this question ten times a day and I honestly cannot remember the last time that I really gave the honest answer. Why is that? Why are we so afraid to share with someone how are lives really are, what challenges we are facing, where we may be struggling? This book really jumps right into it.

• How come we never talk about the really important stuff?
  
• What are those big and nasty issues lurking out there ready to take us down?
  
• What are those stupid choices we are on the verge of making that would deliver a knockout blow and wreak our lives?
  
• How could we help each other be healthier leaders and find true meaning for our lives?
  

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE INTRODUCE YOUR ENEMIES

There are seven enemies to your character, The Deadly Viper Character Assassins, as Mike and Jud call them. These ninja are always after us in an attempt to undermine our integrity, leadership and success. And just like the ninja, all to often once you see them it is already too late.

Too many of us think we can skate by on our business savvy, stellar successes, and our impressive ability to jive talk ourselves out of anything. But here's the deal; the Deadly Vipers aren't in the mood for small talk. They're in the mood for spilling blood. They're like our favorite karate legend, Chuck Norris; the Deadly Vipers don't go hunting, they go a killing.

This is so very true. More often than not, we make a mistake and before we even know it, the walls are shaking and it's looking like the whole place may cave in. If you have not been in that position yet, just wait, you will. You need to be ready to face these assassins. As leaders, we need to be warriors who are ready fo whatever attack may come and as Mike and Jud say;

The Character Assassins are on their way. For some of you they are pressing a steely blade to your throat even now.

UGLY DANCE PARTNERS

Character and integrity are like those girls or guys at the high school dance you would only cut the rug with as a last resort.

Who wants to really talk about character and integrity? I know that most people I know don't. In fact, I would be surprised if anyone is still reading this (if anyone reads it anyway). The issues of character and integrity have been removed from or vision, we simply don't care. Everywhere we look we see a lack of integrity, morals and good character so we seem to have forgotten what integrity and character looks like. It's all over the media, in print, on TV in movies, music and even in the church. All too often though we are completely blind to it until something happens that shakes your world. It is critical that we begin to open our eyes to this. If we are going to protect our character and integrity, than we have to be prepared and we have to be on the lookout. But fist, we have to really open our eyes. You may be surprised, Character and integrity are more like that guy or girl you picked on in high school and then you come back 10 or 20 years later and they turned out to be pretty hot.

NO PERFECT PEOPLE

Many think being a person of integrity is about perfectionism, legalism, and the glow of a halo illuminating your face.

Character is too often associated with those finger pointers out there with their big lists of do's and don'ts. It's not about that as Glenn Frey of The Eagles once said,

"Rock and roll isn't about perfection. It's about excellence."

No one exists without character flaws. We all have stuff, in some cases it's big, in others it's small. But regardless, we still ALL struggle with issues of integrity.

Maybe we

• Under-report our taxes
  
• Exaggerate successes
  
• Say things we don't mean
  
• Carry on an illicit affair
  
• Take advantage of people
  

Or maybe we

• Steal pens and paper from the office
  
• Surf porn during work hours
  
• Enjoy gossiping and undermining people
  
• Rip our kids off with the lack of quality time
  
• Bail on friends in their time of need
  

Bottom line: We're all a mess, and we all have character issues.

This really hits me hard. I have always looked at myself as a man of integrity. But now that I really reflect on it, I am pretty damn screwed up to be completely honest. I see that I am far from being a character warrior. If you are already there, I applaud you, but if you are not, there is no shame, that's what great, no matter where we are, there is a starting point to achieving a life of integrity.

I am going to leave you with this for tonight. I will conclude chapter 0 tomorrow (I hope). Be thinking about how it is that you may lack integrity. Also I encourage you to find a person who you trust, and really open up to them. Just like working out in a gym, the going is a lot easier when you have someone to encourage you along the way. I know that in the next few days, I will be seeking out a person that will give me a spot when I just can't get the weights up.