How a Young Defender stands out & changes the WORLD.
The topic for this blog is simply, HONOR. A YOUNG DEFENDER will do their BEST to live their lives with honor and integrity. Parents would love to have their children live honorable lives. They would love them to honor their bodies, their teachers, their friends, their work, their homes, and their parents. In the good old days, honor had a sacred meaning. As a child, I remember being fascinated by Knights. You know what I am talking about. The Knights from King Arthur’s time. They had honor and a code of conduct that involved every aspect of their lives. They were willing to sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. PRETTY COOL I THOUGHT!
Nowadays, Honor may not be practiced as strictly as we would hope. People abusing their bodies through drugs, alcohol, and food are all too common. People willing to cheat at school, work, or in their relationships. People going back on their word. People disrespecting others using their cell phones at inappropriate times or cutting folks off on the road while driving. The way people talk to each other, especially their loved ones. The examples can go on and on.
As a Young Defender and as a parent, I wanted something different for myself and for my children. I wanted something different for the world. The Young Defender Oath says it all:
I (your name) PROMISE TO TAKE ON THE MISSION OF BEING A YOUNG DEFENDER. I WILL LOVE MYSELF IN THE WORDS I SPEAK, THE ACTIONS I TAKE, AND THE THOUGHTS I THINK & WILL I HELP OTHERS TO DO THE SAME, FOR WE ARE ALL GREAT YOUNG DEFENDERS!
Examples of a Young Defender can live a life of HONOR:
- When a relationship is not going well, a YD will persevere to better it.
- Respecting ones body by eating well and not abusing it with overindulgence.
- Taking Constructive Criticism and doing something positive with it.
- Saying “Sorry” when one is in the wrong.
- Keeping your word.
- Being true to ones marriage.
- Others may cheat at school, work, or in business, but a YD will not.
- Use moments of failure to learn and to grow.
- HELP those who need it.
- Provide a genuine, positive comment to another.
REMEMBER A YOUNG DEFENDER IS NOT PERFECT, BUT SEES PERFECTION IN EVERYTHING AND IN EVERYONE. Living life with Honor is a happier and rewarding one.
Action Time:
Whether you are an adult or child, DO YOUR BEST to make an effort each day this week to commit an Honorable act. I provided some general examples above, but here are some more detailed examples:
- Help a co-worker or classmate who maybe struggling on a task or topic.
- Honor the planet by volunteering in a neighborhood cleanup, starting a home recycling program, or tree planting.
- Honor your parents by giving them a hug and a thanks.
- Parents do the same to your kiddos.
- Commit to a project this week and follow through with it (Exercise, nutrition, volunteer, business, school, club, sport…)
My kids are both Young Defenders in training as are all of us. I received a profound lesson in Honor from my two children this week. In a moment of weakness and an example that being a YD does not mean one is perfect, I lost my temper with my children a couple days back. They both showed Honor to me by not holding any grudge or anger towards me, but instead continued to show me love through a profound, genuine HUG. Honor comes in many of forms, even a good old fashion HUG. Let’s go out there and spread some Honor. Write back with your experiences during this week.
YOUNG DEFENDERS FOR FOREVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!