#11a The Mark of Royalty

So we already talked about a Saiyan’s pride and how it can be both his driving light and his downfall, but another aspect of the great Vegeta is his claim to royalty. Many wonder why he still calls himself “the prince of all Saiyans,” when his race has been all but annihilated. I think there’s a deep and profound reason there to dig into. 

You see, royalty isn’t just a title. It isn’t just another way for people to recognize you, it’s a mindset; a way of living. Vegeta doesn’t just cling to a sense of pride, but a belief that he’s worth something. In his eyes, he’s somebody, and he always could be even more. He has a claim to the throne of life, all he has to do is reach out and take it. 

In its purest form, this is a tidal wave of motivation. Imagine what life would be like if we believed that we could actually do anything. We would all have some serious talent on our hands! But this mindset isn’t just about the idea that we could be the best, it’s that we ought to be the best. After all, it was Vegeta who delivered my favorite line of “you’ll be the best, or you’ll be nothing!” 

And at its worst, this idea is an excuse to beat ourselves into the ground. But we should see it as a call to bring our A-game to every minute of every hour of every day of our lives. Can you imagine living life like that? I’d be proud of myself too if I lived like that! Honestly, I wish I could say that I did, but sometimes I fall short of my own standards. Sometimes I get tired or sloppy and wind up bringing something that’s more like my B-game, or even my C-game. I hate to admit it, but it’s true. But I can always count on my conscience to stand in the background, shouting at me until I get it right. I’m grateful for that.

I think that’s what royalty is all about: bringing your A-game. It’s not being a perfectionist, but refining your efforts until you get the best results. Your A-game might still lose the occasional fight, but oh, the joy of knowing that you held nothing back when trouble came to call. That you made your best decisions, put in your hardest work, and blasted life with your strongest attack when the time was right. I’d say that’s a life worth living. 

I like to try to think like this when I make decisions. When I catch myself slacking off, I will ask myself “what would my A-game be like?” That brings up the imagery of being royalty, and acting like I’m a man of quality. I will usually, then, get an answer for me to act on. Then, at the end of the day, I look back and smile because I bore the fruit of royalty, and I will tell myself that I have made true royalty of myself.

I don’t mean that in an arrogant way. I try not to act like I am better than everyone else. But I make quality decisions, not just the ones that I can get away with. I try to live by a higher, classier standard because I believe that life is about more than survival. It’s about morals, beauty, and chasing the things that fill us with wonder and inspiration. 

So take some time to list some of the things you did today. By each item on the list, grade how well you did them and welcome the sting of everything that isn’t an A. If you honestly think that you can do better, list out how and do it! You’ve got what it takes to be royalty. You just have to reach out and take it! You’ve got this!

I pray that you learn to see yourself in the greatest light possible. That the glory of quality work seeps into your life like liquid gold seeping through the cracks of your soul. And I pray that you learn to see yourself as worth even more than that gold, because you definitely are!

Until Next Time

May Peace be your Guide.