Rōnin

Walking their own path, some ronin worked as mercenaries and bodyguards, and others became criminals. One of the most legendary ronin is Miyamoto Musashi, who is famed as Japan’s greatest swordsman - undefeated in more than 60 duels. Musashi became a ronin after he escaped death during the Battle of Sekigahara when serving general Hideyori. Aside from being a swordsman, he was also a philosopher, artist, and well-learned Buddhist.

Among other writings, Musashi left us with 21 principles for those who walk alone named Dokkōdō (獨行道 : "The Path of Aloneness" or "The Way of Walking Alone"), that he wrote down not long before he died. Even though the age of the samurai is long gone, Musashi’s principles are timeless and can inspire us today to live well.

Accept everything Just The Way It Is
Rather than worry or fret about what's going on around you, accept it. The time you've spent dwelling on it is better spent improving yourself.

Do Not Seek Pleasure For It's Own Sake
Anyone who has lived a few years understand the pains of losing friends to addictions and watching the problems that come with them. If it makes you happy go for it. Just make sure that when the feeling fades you're a couple steps farther ahead.

Do Not, Under Any Circumstances, Depend On A Partial Feeling
You must be sure of where you put your foot before you step. The meaning here is not to get confused, to keep your head clear, and only act when you're certain.

Think Lightly Of Yourself And Deeply Of The World
How can you hear wisdom if you can only hear yourself? If you only walk around with eyes for yourself, you'll miss the details of the world around you. Paying attention to the world let's you better appreciate the results of your actions, as well as giving you insight into things you would otherwise miss.

Be Detached From Desire Your Whole Lifelong
If you spend your life chasing a dream you may be running forever. Live your life to be content, have goals but don't let them rule you. Don't dwell on what others have when you can make your own.

Do Not Regret What You Have Done
Understand your actions. If you disprove of how you are, don't constantly regret the past and be bitter. Work to understand yourself, put it past you, and live your life how you should.

Never Be Jealous
It's a waste of time. Spend your energy productively. All that time scheming could achieve a lot of other things.

Never Let Yourself Be Saddened By A Separation
Just by living life people will come and go. It's not the distance that matters but how you remember them. Keep them close to your heart and they are always living in your footsteps.

Resentment And Complaint Are Appropriate Neither For Oneself Nor Others
Better to focus your energy on bettering yourself or them then causing useless grief. Pissing and moaning at the world doesn't make it spin faster.

Do Not Let Yourself Be Guided By The Feeling Of Lust Or Love
Act with respect to yourself. Love will come and go, Don't do something for someone you wouldn't do for yourself. Don't burn a bridge you've spent years building.

In All Things Have No Preferences
Have an open mind, be ready to try all things and desire none.If you always act a certain way you will never experience anything new.

Be Indifferent To Where You Live
If your unhappy with where you are, move, but in time you'll realize it's not where you live but how you live. A palace or a parking garage; be happy of shelter and warmth.

Do Not Pursue The Taste Of Good Food
Living the life of a ronin Mushashi learned the value of appreciating a full stomach. A taste for good food can be as harmful as any addiction.

Do Not Hold On To Possessions You No Longer Need
If it no longer benefits with you, part with it freely. Give it to someone who can appreciate it. It's easy to get a bunch of junk that will just weigh you down.

Do Not Act Following Customary Beliefs
Think and act for yourself. Act how you think you should act not how others say you should. You only have one chance to decide for yourself.

Do Not Collect Weapons Or Practice With Weapons Beyond What Is Useful
A tribute to his time but apt advice depending on how you apply it. It's better to be a master swordsman than an apprentice in many weapons.

Do Not Fear Death
Everyone dies, Everyone comes to terms differently. The best way to do it is identify what scares you the most about it and work from there.

Do Not Seek To Possess Either Goods Or Fiefs For Your Old Age
Live usefully and collect what is useful. Don't waste your time when you can spend your time bettering yourself.

Respect Buddha And The Gods Without Counting On Their Help
Count on yourself, Don't count on luck or gods to pull you through. Tackle the endeavors you know are within your capabilities. If you pray to them for strength then they will put you in situations to find it.

You May Abandon Your Own Body But You Must Preserve Your Honor
Don't do anything you can't live with for the rest of your life. Your actions make you. If you become old and weak, not far from the drink, live still with the actions and character that made men respect you.

Never Stray From The Way
If you live a certain way, Either devote yourself wholly to it or cast it aside. If you can't bring yourself to place complete conviction in your actions then why do them?