A Tough Lesson I learned from the Ancient Greeks

Photo credit: Amazon.com - Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield

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"Come and take them." 

That is the legendary phrase that is supposed to have been uttered by King Leonidas of the Spartans when Xerxes, King of Persia, demanded the Spartans lay down their weapons. 

What defiance. This phrase in the Greek is "Molon Labe" (pronounced Mo-lone Lah-veh) and it has been passed down through the centuries due to its simplicity, its defiant nature and its courage in the face of certain death.

How does this apply to you? Can you think of a situation in your own life that requires courageous defiance? Let me share an example from my own life to illustrate:

The attitude of "come and take" is something I needed to apply to my journey through the martial science instructor training program. I didn't think I could do it - the work load, the time commitment, the feelings of inadequacy; I wasn't sure how I was ever going to accomplish it. My instructor told me about Molon Labe and later on, I read the Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield which recounts the Spartans battle of Thermoplyae against the Persians. The attitude of "come and take" is, at its core, an attitude of defiance. My instructor told me to apply that to my journey through the instructor program. "I will make it through this program even if I don't think I can." 

The biggest takeaway I gleaned and the biggest takeaway I hope you apply for yourself is that sometimes you must be courageously defiant against yourself. Your own fears, feelings, doubts, etc. will seek to crush you, pacify you, stifle your generative capabilities and in the face of these things, the attitude of Molon Labe is the antidote you require. 

What challenges are you currently facing? Molon Labe. Dare that challenge to beat you. Your attitude truly is everything in this regard. Attitude informs action. If your attitude is lacking in any particular capacity or facet, your actions will reflect this. Also, actions inform attitude. If you don’t “feel” like having a good attitude, get busy taking action.

Upgrade your attitude by infusing Molon Labe into it. "Come and take". Defy your challenges, fears, & doubts. Replace it with the attitude of, "I dare you..." How should you acquire this attitude? Take defiant action.

This attitude upgrade has helped me to overcome many personal challenges but it is a tough lesson. It is tough because it requires you to take control of your attitude. Your attitude does not control you, you control your attitude. Tell it what to do. Be defiant. 

Anyone who has ever stood up for the truth under adverse circumstances took this attitude. Staring death in the face they all said, "Come and take my life - for I shall not give it to you." You can start to program yourself right now by adopting this attitude of defiance. 

Read Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. Research the phrase, Molon Labe. You will be grateful you did.

Live in the defiance-groud,

Lanshe Sensei