Honor

"They say, Japan was made by a sword. They say, that the old God's dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out, four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors willing to give their lives, for what has seems to become a forgotten word: HONOR..." - these are the starting thoughts of a film, which has shaped my personality the most, a film which I have seen many times, but still has a huge emotional impact on me every time I watch it, this film is... The Last Samurai.

How can we define Honor? I will try to observe it from 3 different aspects;
I. The Movie
II. The World of Today
III. Those, who TRY...

I.
The movie shows its intentions of what it is trying to say from the very beginning. Honor cannot be defined as a rule or anything else. It lives with us, in us. It is not a word, but a way of life, just like love... Honor is something more precious then human life itself. People who follow this code, have dedicated their lives and are willing to sacrifice it for this, as many would think, simple word.

It is about discipline and respect. Respect to your environment, and home. Respect to your loved ones and habits, but most importantly, respect to others, even to your enemies. Respect is not represented by only words, for a follower of this code says only what he must and knows that with each and every word he says he carries responsibility towards himself, and others. With your actions, however, you can say more than any other word, and with even your silence, you represent your values.
Defeat is unacceptable. On the battlefield you fall, but your life doesn't end in shame, but throughout your code and the way you have lived, you can close your eyes in peace, knowing that you died for what you believed in, and stood up for. The perfect death... to die with Honor.

II.
The movie says that today, Honor is a forgotten word. Is it? Or is it just silenced by policy and wealth, by people who care only about themselves, and don't even think abut others, not even once.

Honestly, I would like to believe that those claims are not true. In my opinion, Honor has become out of fashion. People show no respect towards each other, and favor their interests above anything else. Some show no respect even to themselves, and therefore become dishonest.

I am no one to judge, but if this is not the case, if the world we see hasn't become selfish and careless, then what?

III.
There are very few people out there who have dedicate their lives to the code of Honor, which can mean many different things to many individuals. There are few, or are they just in the pantomime?

Those who see some of these values and try to cope with them have a very hard life. Many people see them, but don't pay attention to them, because I know, that I am not the only one who saw the movie and was touched by it, still I can't find many other people thinking in a similar way. The movie didn't create this way of life, it has only showed it.

Honestly, those living with the code - as I named it - don't really want to make their voices heard, because who would wanna speak to ears, that cannot hear? Instead try to live their lives, as best as they can. Respect others, and themselves, and to not regret that, what they have said and done.

Still, things can get difficult, when you are declared a show-off. A dishonest person, who hides his face in a mask of arrogance and pride. Who has no heart and has no good will. Who cannot love and is a complete nobody, who thinks he is a somebody.

Who sometimes drops tears where nobody can see, who feels sorry for those who are in trouble and helps if possible. Who loves his friends like brothers and sacrifices himself without a word, so that they can have it easier. Who has something in him ready to be unleashed, not a soldier, but a warrior. Who says his prayers and asks for the same things every night; a new love, a new chance, a new world... a world in which the soul hasn't been replaced with the mind.

So you see it is hard :) Not too many people will read this entry, I guess. It is too long and the topic may not be of interests to everyone, but still I hope from the depths of my heart that some people will read and understand it, but yet again, I will not get too illusional and just keep on living my life like I did before.

I am in some way relaxed. I am happy that Baby on Board 2 - Father had won the "Entry of the Week" prize, because then, I won't have to listen to this entry in front of the whole class, 'cause I think that it would make an uncomfortable atmosphere arise.

Those who had the patience to read it, thank you. I hope I could give some advice or just make you spend some time and not be bored :)