Musashi's Dokkodo (The Way of Walking Alone)

Teacher:
This precept reminds me of an old joke.
There was once a devout man who found himself nearly stranded in
his house as the creek began to flood his property during a
rainstorm. As the waters rose, a man driving a four-wheel-drive truck
stopped by and offered to take him to safety. The devout homeowner

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politely refused saying, “No need. The Lord will save me.” The
waters rose further still. This time a sailor with a boat arrived offering
to take the homeowner to safety. Again, he politely refused, “No
need. The Lord will save me.” The flood water rose further still. Now
the man was stuck on the top of his house with water everywhere as
far as he could see. A helicopter arrived on the scene and the pilot
lowered a ladder to the homeowner offering to fly him to safety.
Again, he politely refused, “No need. The Lord will save me!” The
helicopter left and the waters continued to rise, drowning the man.
As he arrived at the gates of Heaven, he was confused. He said,
“Lord? I was devout. I had faith. I waited for you to save me and you
let me drown.” The Lord replied, “Let you 
drown
?! I send a truck, a
boat, 
and
a helicopter! What more did you want?”
Badum-bum…
Very little is going to be accomplished in your life without positive
action. You can 
want
to lose weight, or make more money, or live in
a better neighborhood, but until you actually start taking positive
action to make these changes happen, nothing much will take place.
Different people have different views on religion. It is not my task
here to debate the right or wrong of any particular faith, religion, or
ideology. In looking at the precept, what stands out to me is the idea
of taking charge of your life, control of your circumstances, and
moving forward with 
action
.
No one lives your life except you. No one will suffer the
disappointments of your failure more than you. No one will know
your struggles more than you. And, no one will appreciate your
successes more than you will.
Religion is a powerful motivator for some people, yet for others it can
become a hindrance. When they reach a point of waiting for God to
fix things for them instead of taking the steps needed to make the
necessary changes then it becomes a hindrance.
Let us take a simple and fairly common task, getting in shape. If you
want to pray that you lose weight and feel that it will make a
difference, then pray. But, exercise too! If you feel that God wants

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you to be healthy, believe that! But, take the other needed steps as
well. Go to the gym. Eat right. Get enough sleep. You know the
drill… Wishing and wanting and praying are not a detriment to your
life. If you feel that they make a difference then by all means wish,
want, and pray. But take positive action toward your goals every day
as well.
Miracles can happen. But you need to take some personal
responsibility as well.