The Five Virtues for success
My grandfather, before passing, gave me the greatest secret.
My grandfather was a man amongst men. Having risen from poverty, I believe he reached his full potential. I often think about his life and circumstances and I see a man who did not waste what was given to him. One Saturday morning, in his study, he took pen and paper and thought of his grandchildren. He thought of both my brother and me. Although only five years my senior, my brother and I were at very different stages in our lives. At that time, my brother was going off to college, and my grandfather thought it best to write him a outline on how he might approach his studies, his social life, and his relationships with family. I received something very different. My letter was titled The 5 D’s. I think of them as five virtues or mandates a man ought to embody or live by. To what end? Not specified. Below are my interpretations of the 5 D’s. May they serve you as they have served me.
1. Desire (Fervent): A man ought to have an object of desire. He must want something. There must be something in this world (or beyond it) that he longs to have, see, or experience. This desire cannot be weak or timid; it must be fervent. A fervent desire burns within a man. It must be a burning passion, something he has to have. Half measures won’t do him any good. He must burn for that which he desires, and then ardently pursue it.
2. Discern(Analyze, think, and set goals on a weekly and monthly basis): To discern is to sift through the unnecessary and focus on what truly matters. It is to break down, understand, and set objectives. A burning desire is like a force of nature — powerful and magnificent, yet potentially destructive if uncontrolled. Like the desires in the hearts of men, they must be harnessed and directed into actionable goals. And these goals must be time-bound. It’s important to remember that some goals take years to achieve, so this breakdown allows for a clear path through the mist.
3. Dedication: This is about the path. It’s about not straying. It’s about giving yourself completely. You are on the path, one with it. You may wander off briefly, but you realize there is no other way. The path never abandons you. You may abandon it, but it always waits for you. Dedication is about commitment.
4. Discipline: This is the sword and the hammer. You do it because it must be done. Discipline is about fulfilling your duty. It’s about showing up every day and doing the work regardless of how you feel. It’s about consistency. Discipline is about governing yourself.
5. Determination: This is about life or death. It’s about that moment when you decide to achieve what you’ve set out to do or die trying. It’s about never quitting, it’s about being willing to pay whatever price is necessary.
Like many things under the sun, what is true today may not be so tomorrow, so it perhaps be best to not hold on too tightly to definitions but rather to sensations.
