In the previous installment of A Warrior in a Garden, we analyzed how we often impose excessive demands on ourselves to the point of self-flagellation. This pressure usually arises from "personal" standards that govern our daily lives.
The previous discussion focused solely on the intrinsic aspect of each of us, which aligns with the goal of the self-directed war proposed in this section, starting from premises like "know yourself [...] If you are ignorant of your enemy and yourself, you will be defeated in every battle," attributed to Sun Tzu.
However, if we trace back to the origins of A Warrior in a Garden, the reason for this self-directed war is that, in today's world, the concept of war is taboo, and those who contemplate it are considered ruthless. This has led to our personal and professional preparation being exclusively geared towards times of peace. Yet, when we emerge into the real world and that bubble of perfection we have been encapsulated in bursts, we realize that we are unprepared to face a reality that is a battlefield without weapons—without loss of life, but always imbued with the essence of conflict.
I intend for this writing to continue the previous one, but with a focus not just on the intrinsic aspect, but rather on the extrinsic. We know ourselves, but do we understand our battlefield and how we behave within it?
Beyond the battlefield, we must recognize how we adapt to the various fields of our wars. Remember that each warrior is different; although armies may share a standard dogma, structure, and ethics, every member must make crucial decisions in seconds. This brings to life the quote by Mao Zedong (1893–1976), "I never read strategy treatises [...] When we fight, we don't carry books with us."
A warrior must remain in a constant state of alertness and practice daily, ensuring that all the knowledge and practice they possess are not just add-ons but an extension of themselves. For instance, a sword is not merely a weapon for the warrior but an extension of their body. Thus, when they wield it, they maintain complete control. In other words, we should understand and know the game's rules so well that we can use them to our advantage, unlike many competitors who view them as limitations.
But which fields should we focus on and prepare for in our current context?
Let's consider a news headline reported by Europa Press as an example: "Michelin to Lay Off 1,500 Employees in Germany Due to 'Lack of Competitiveness' at Its Factories."
The realm of competitiveness is one of the most common yet complex to navigate. Seth Godin (2009) describes contemporary competitiveness by stating that we manage our schools like factories: arranging children in rows, grouping them into batches (known as courses), and striving to ensure that no defective pieces emerge. We do not allow anyone to excel, lag behind, advance, or cause disruptions.
However, we are conditioned to fit into the pre-established standards for each society, with the expectation that we stand out. This is both ironic and contradictory.
So, what does this have to do with us as warriors? Well, let me tell you that beyond being capable or having the knowledge for a job, our competitiveness is governed by our performance—specifically, our ability to respond to stress.
A syndrome known as General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) explains how humans cope with stress, which is a necessary element of our lives. However, stress can negatively affect us in high or low amounts.
Stress triggers physiological, emotional, and mental responses in our bodies, which have historically helped us determine whether we adapt, fight, or flee.
The GAS comprises three stages:
| Phases of Stress | |||
| Normal Resistance Level | |||
| Alarm | Resistance | Exhaustion | |
Illustration 1: Stages of GAS Stress. Source: Blasina (2010)
| Absence of Stress | Moderate Stress | Excess Stress | Max Stress Level |
| Low Performance | Optimal Performance | Good Performance but Declining | Very Poor Performance |
Illustration 2: Relationship Between Stress and Performance in GAS. Source: Blasina (2010)
Illustration 1 depicts the stages of GAS, while Illustration 2 illustrates how higher stress levels correlate with decreased performance. We often think that a highly stressed individual is exceptionally efficient; the reality is quite the opposite. Nevertheless, one commonality across all levels concerning us is how stress impacts our well-being.
Consider the case of my country, Honduras. Here, reactive medicine is familiar and well-regarded, while preventive medicine is considered a waste of time and money. However, preventive medicine, which fosters holistic well-being, is one of the best investments we can make.
Preventive care is optional and voluntary, whereas reactive care is mandatory and often critical.
Let's put it this way: would you prefer to receive a massage once a month or take daily medication for the rest of your life? Ultimately, we are the ones making the final decision.
The Global Wellness Institute (n.d.) defines well-being as "the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health."
Additionally, the Global Wellness Institute (n.d.) highlights two critical aspects of this definition:
This implies that we are solely responsible for our lifestyle choices, but we must also consider our environments because achieving well-being requires acknowledgment of its multidimensional nature.
The dimensions of well-being include:
So the next time you find yourself judged for "not being competitive" or "not being efficient enough," don't engage in self-flagellation by ruminating on the idea of "not fitting the standard" or "not being good enough." Remember, it is essential to acknowledge that perfection is unattainable for anyone; however, we can make an effort to improve each day, and simply trying makes us better than we were yesterday.
Also, know yourself and understand your field—in this case, the dimensions of well-being—while identifying your strengths and areas for improvement, always focusing on resilience and strength. After all, the worst battle is the one not fought, so arm and forge yourself as a good warrior in the garden. At the end of the day, it is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.
Satoricha ~
References
Greene, R. (2019). Las 33 estrategias de la guerra. Océano.
Blasina, C. (2010, Agosto 8). ESTRÉS, SíNDROME GENERAL DE ADAPTACiÓN O REACCiÓN GENERAL DE ALARMA. Vista de Estrés, Síndrome General de Adaptación o Reacción General de Alarma. Retrieved May 5, 2024, from https://www.revistamedicocientifica.org/index.php/rmc/article/view/103/637
Global Wellness Institute. (n.d.). What is Wellness? Global Wellness Institute. Retrieved May 5, 2024, from https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/
Godin, S. (2009). Purple Cow, New Edition: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable--Includes New Bonus Chapter. Portfolio.