“You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honor.”

Honor is a central tenet of Bushido, the code of the samurai. A Samurai’s honour

encompasses 7 key virtues: Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Respect, Loyalty, Self-Discipline

and Rectitude which is morally correct behavior or righteousnes. Samurais were expected to uphold

their honor at all times, both in their personal lives and in their roles as warriors. This meant

acting with honesty, fairness, and respect in all dealings, whether with friends, family, or foes.

Maintaining honor for them was more important than life itself. To restore honor after a disgrace,

some samurai practiced seppuku, a ritual form of taking one's own life, to demonstrate their

remorse and commitment to the code of Bushido. Seppuku was their way of trying to make things

right, to cleanse themselves of their shame and showing they were still loyal to their values.

In this serious ritual, they tried to regain their honor and prove that,

even in death, they stayed true to the principles they believed in.

In today’s world, we face intense pressure to succeed and meet high expectations,

which sometimes leads us to bend the truth or hide mistakes to avoid criticism. At work,

we see colleagues cutting corners and feel tempted to do the same. In our personal lives,

we might lie to protect our reputation or relationships. The digital world makes it

easier to be dishonest because of anonymity. Many of our actions are driven by the desire

for instant gratification. We are tempted to make dishonest choices for immediate benefits,

overlooking the long-term consequences. All these factors together create a challenging

environment for us, yet, we understand the value of living with honor and strive to

overcome these pressures, knowing that true self-respect comes from living truthfully.

When we live honorably and commit to all the seven virtues of honor,

we embrace honesty in all our interactions, both with others and ourselves. Honesty is crucial

because it ensures our actions and words align with our values and helps build trust. We commit

to keeping our promises. Whether it’s a small task or a big responsibility, following through

on our commitments shows that we are reliable and respect the trust others place in us.

We also commit to acting with compassion and treat everyone fairly and kindly,

no matter who they are. Lastly, we committed to doing the right thing,

even when it's hard. This dedication pushes us to improve and excel in all areas of life. By

holding ourselves to these high standards, we avoid taking shortcuts or settling for less,

which keeps us from becoming average. Instead, we strive for excellence and stand out in our

actions and character. Honor drives us to be our best selves, making us extraordinary.

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