According to Plutarch, Alexander was just a boy when his dad King Philip had bought the horse, now known as Bucephalus. One day, Alexander noticed that no one was able to ride the horse. He seemed wild, dancing about, unable to be tamed. King Philip was ready to get rid of the horse altogether. Alexander bet his dad the price of the horse that he could ride him.
As the boy approached the horse, he turned him slightly to face the sun. None of the adults had noticed that the horse appeared to be afraid of his shadow. As soon as Alexander repositioned Bucephalus, he was able to slowly hop on his back. Alexander calmly petted the horse and galloped away. From that day on, the two were inseparable.
“There is observation and there is seeing. The eye of observation is strong. The eye of seeing is weak….Of the two ways of observation and seeing, the eye of observation is the strongest.”
– Miyamoto Musashi
Observation and seeing are two different actions.
Alexander observed a magnificent and courageous companion that was simply afraid.
King Philip and his workers saw a wild, unmanageable animal.
In business and in life, we get caught going through the motions. We find ourselves seeing instead of observing.
Are you training to improve your skill of observation?
“the true Way of the Martial Arts is to train so that these skills are useful at any time, and to teach these skills so that they will be useful in all things.” – Miyamoto Musashi
Real world experiences require real world actions.
You must practice the power of observation day in and day out.
Musashi, thousands of years after Alexander, embodied the same keen understanding of humans. He lived what he believed. He continually trained to become better in everything he did. He honed his skills of observation.
He even developed “Rules for putting martial arts into practice.”
1. Think without any dishonesty.
2. Forge yourself in the Way.
3. Touch upon all of the arts.
4. Know the Ways of all occupations.
5. Know the advantages and disadvantages of everything.
6. Develop a discerning eye in all matters.
7. Understand what cannot be seen by the eye.
8. Pay attention to even small things.
9. Do not involve yourself with the impractical
When you go through your day, try to think.
Are you simply seeing what is going on around you or are you truly observing?
Observation and seeing are two distinct disciplines, two distinct actions, two distinct practices.
Which one will you choose?
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