Where Have All the Virtues Gone?

"The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants." - Gichin Funakoshi, our great founder.

Today, I look at the world around us and contemplate on “how are we going?” Our modern lives, with their constant digital distractions and frantic pace, are leaving many of our younger generation in a more vulnerable state than we have ever experienced in recent history.

We are raising a generation that is connected to the world, yet isolated from themselves and each other.

The culprit is often in the palm of their hand. The flickering screens, the endless scroll of TikTok, and insta, the fleeting moments of Snapchat. These are not just apps; they are powerful, addictive algorithms designed to capture attention and to replace genuine human connection with a superficial digital echo.

This mindless content, this constant stream of information, is socially isolating our children. It's a lonely crowd, a silent epidemic.

This digital world creates a pressure cooker for our teens. They have access to a constant flow of content—much of it damaging, much of it invisible to parents and carers.

They are navigating a world of impossible standards, of comparison, and of online bullying that leaves no safe haven. We are seeing the results in the rising rates of depression, anxiety, and a profound lack of self-worth.

It is a quiet suffering, an inward-focused depression that lives in their heads, a profound loneliness that is a deep-seated threat to their well-being.

So, I ask you, what superpower would you wish for your child?

We have been offered these superpowers: the ability to be a leader, a genius, or a social butterfly. Yet, these are not the powers that will truly save them.

The true superpowers are far simpler, yet more profound. They are the virtues that establish a values-based society. They are the strength of character that can withstand the storms of modern life.

In my years, I have seen these virtues in action. They are the same principles that have guided our forefathers  for generations, the values of  the Bushido virtues:

Gi (義): Rectitude or Justice - The power to decide on a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering.

Yu (勇): Courage - To do what is right, to face fear and adversity with a strong heart.

Jin (仁): Benevolence - To show compassion and mercy, to have a heart for others.

Rei (礼): Respect - To treat others with dignity and politeness, understanding their worth.

Makoto (誠): Honesty and Sincerity - To speak the truth and to be true to oneself.

Meiyo (名誉): Honor - To have a deep sense of personal dignity and worth, to live by a code that is unbreakable.

Chu (忠): Loyalty - To be faithful to those you serve and to your own principles.

How can we bring these to our children? How can we give them the armor they need to face the modern world?

By teaching them to live with gratitude and to embody these virtues.

By helping them understand that purpose and character are not things they are born with, but things they must build, brick by brick, through their actions.

Living by these virtues can help us break the perpetual cycle of loneliness and low self-esteem.

It teaches a child to look outward, to find gratitude in what they have, and to feel a sense of purpose beyond their own immediate desires.

It gives them the confidence to stand tall, the mental discipline to overcome depression, and the inner strength to build meaningful relationships.

These are the tools that address the issues of low self-worth, ADHD, and the tragic consequences that can arise from feeling lost and without value.

We must help them understand that a life lived with purpose is a life of true wealth.

The virtues are not a relic of the past; they are the blueprint for a successful and meaningful life in the future.

"To be kind is to know wisdom. To know wisdom is to be strong." - Nakayama sensei

Osu

Andy McKechnie

Dojo Head TSKF Five Dock