The true warrior doesn’t let external events dictate his or her state of mind. The true warrior considers events with emotional detachment and then determines an appropriate response and course of action (or inaction). The operative word here is act—as in acting, action, and activity. The true warrior acts. That act can be a response or non-response, a conscious decision to act or a conscious decision not to.

There is a huge referential difference between action and reaction. In some cases, they may be mirror images of each other, but the driving force behind the reaction is emotionally based and uncontrolled (or only minimally controlled), while action is conscious and controlled—executed with total awareness.

When you are aware, your state of mind is not being controlled or determined by events around you. This means that you are in charge … and not a victim of circumstance. This gives you the power to choose your behaviour (just another word for action). You may have to be like an actor, acting out your part, as you may choose not to engage your emotional mind in every case. You have that power and strength in reserve, so that you can unleash your instincts when required, at your time, place, and choosing. How empowering is that? “But, but, but …” you splutter. “What if I can’t control my emotions? What if I just react all the time?” Well that, my young Jedi, is the point of personal development and self-assessment. This is something that you will either choose to live with or choose to change. It is up to you—as is most everything about you.

You are warriors, and you decide your state of mind. By choosing wisely, you will see truly and be able to make wise decisions that will result in significant benefit for you and your team. So it has been written.