In karateforums, there is a thread (most important athlete), and it got me to thinking about what I think is important. To me, it comes down to personal character. We talk about precepts to live by, personal philosophies, bushido and such...but it is in hearing stories of individuals that prevail that I am most inspired.

How do you measure a man? Do you have a story that you cherish, simple acts or long struggles, that inspire you?

(I can't think of one right now...but will get back).
http://www.karateforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=254372#254372

A quote that has remained clearly in my mind for years, came from an odd source.

"Some people are six feet tall, their body just doesn't know it" -Hawkeye Pearce from the series MASH.

There should be some interesting answers to this.
For me, the measure of a person is not how he/she acts in public but how they act when no one is watching. This translates into knowing that you will never be perfect but you are always striving to be better and do the right things, even if they go unnoticed.

That is the reason everyone wonders why theren't aren't more role models. They are there, they just go about their own business.

It is like that old saying we have in Texas, " If you have to tell me who you are, you ain't it"!

Don't trust the man who is rude to the waiter.

Just as a resume reads, accomplishments don't tell the full story of a person...it only tells which questions you should ask.

This is probably appropriate given the topic and the fact Memorial day is soon.

The most inspiring is hearing or reading true stories of the human spirit during war. The stories of WW2 prisoners, soldiers, survivors and victims are the most inspiring to me. Stories of someone generating laughter to ease their friends or family's pain while he is sacrificing himself for them ...those kind of stories that put the capabilities of human character in perspective.

I have a dozen or so letters from my grandfather from 1941-1942 (about 28 y/o at the time) to my grandmother (who had just given birth to my father, with 2 other boys to care for) while he was serving in Singapore just prior to the Japanese invasion and fall of Singapore. At the time, my grandmother must have had no clue as to what was happening when my grandfather was writing those letters. Reading his letters, there was only a slight hint of an eerie heavy feeling that was offset by his optimism, humor and love for his family. It wouldn't do the letters justice to quote them in type...I plan on scanning them in to preserve them digitally.
Everyone might know the slaughter and horrible POW stories of the British and Australian prisoners during and after the fall of Singapore in 42...knowing the history and chronology of what was happening when the letters were written makes them that much more intense. I've started a website and work on it every now and then. right now, it only outlines facts and reconstructing my grandfathers service thru research, but I plan on expanding it to include the letters and more personal info on my grandparents.
http://www.geocities.com/ed_morris_inc/grandfather/Glasgow.htm

Peace to you on Memorial, Rememberence, Obon - or however you chose to never forget.

Kintama,
That is a beautiful post. I agree.
My Grandfather escaped Russia with his family durng WWII as the Nazis were closing in. The story goes that he hijacked a school bus to flee with his family. Eventually they made it to America with absolutely nothing. Couldn't speak the language, had to rely on strangers to get started.

As a history major in college, I have been known to go off on tangents and here is one. Bear with me. At any given time on planet earth there are around 140 wars being fought. Multiply that by the 6,000 years of recorded history and that will give you an idea of the sheer amount of violence we have endured as a species. Given our family trees, how many relatives have been involved in a war through the ages? How many on the front line? How many forced to take another's life? How many of your ancestors have been tortured? How many have paid the ultimate price? Up until the 20th century, it was more normal to go to war than not to.
This is a great time to take a minute to think about several points.
1. Our lifestyle today is a direct reflection of the hard work, sacrifice and blood of those who came before us.

2. That special DNA strand that can produce such courage under the most adverse conditions is in all of us if we choose to use it.

3. Try to honor your ancestors by making this world a little better. Be alittle more tolerant, a little more understanding and a little more peaceful.

Think about this next time you want to [censored] about how hot is is in the Dojo or that the training is too hard.

Peace,

From Clay Aiken's lyrics to Sidney Poitier's Spiritual Autobiography, I think the meaure of a person can be summed up in this sentence:

It's not in the size of their shoes,
but in the size of their hearts.

I apologize if I don't have a story to share, I am at work, and it would take too long for me to write one.

I mesure a man by his actions, and to a lesser degree his words and prayers.

How does he care for his family, and his friends, and his niebours? Is he there for them with compassion, is he willing to step up and protect them if neccesary? Is he willing to work hard to feed them, has he a helping hand for his weakest neibours, and perhaps a little spare change or food?

When he prays or dreams or "wishes" for a better world...
does he remember the children in the hospitals who don`t know why they are hurting and sick, the suffering addicts, the old and infirm, the hungry and the thirsty ones across the sea? Does he remember to ask for help to end racism,sexism, war and religious oppresion? What kind of world is he trying to leave for his children, and thier children`s children.

What is he willing to do too "make it happen"? What does he actually do?

I don`t often "measure" or judge a man, other than myself...I try hard not too. I don`t feel it is my place to do so. I offer him my experience, strength and hope....if I am weak I ask him to share his.

To me haveing more than your niebours is not a good thing, money and toys and bling do not impress me, humility and compassion do. Liveing a happy and simple life, and helping in your communitity is too me inspireing. Giveing without expectation of reward is inspireing, doing so anoymously even more so....
Haveing neibours who remember my wifes birthday is a huge gift to me...
Haveing the children stop playing and sit in silence when I go outside to pray is even bigger.
Haveing them afterwards ask questions about my "ways", and share thiers with me is the best gift I have ever recieved from a niebour.

I observe people a great deal. After a while you begin to pick up on common traits and habits that people share. Like how two people walking down the hall together pick up the same pace, thoughtlessly and effortlessly. So I guess I measure a man by the way he holds himself and presents himself. Not the obvious way that he presents himseelf as who he would like to be, but the person that he truly is in his everyday life.

I also think that the past is important. How well were you able to cope with the punches life has thrown and landed? How much did you let it effect you and was that effect positive? These things tells you about who a man is more than he can himself.

I guess there are a lot of ways to measure a man, but as for myself, its how the man acts and carries himself in his toughest of times.
When things aren't going his way, he is suffering dissapointment, hardships and whatnot...that is when I truly see someone for what they are.