#18 – The Power of Perspective: Buggy’s Misguided View of Success

Steven

Buggy and Shanks—two names that, you know, almost seem inseparable in One Piece at first glance. Once crewmates, they shared the same ship, the same dreams, and even the same adventures. At one point, you’d think their paths were destined to intertwine forever. But, honestly, that's far from how things turned out.

Steven

The core of Buggy’s hatred towards Shanks? Well, it really comes back to a single moment. A moment rooted in misunderstanding and, if we’re being honest, Buggy’s own greed. His obsession with treasure led him to accidentally eat a Devil Fruit, and yet, it’s Shanks he blames for the transformation that followed. It’s ironic, isn’t it? How we can rewrite our own stories to avoid, sort of, facing the truth?

Steven

For Buggy, this grudge—it’s like a fire that fuels his ambition. But at what cost? His resentment blinds him, you know? It keeps him from seeing the bigger picture, from grasping the opportunities that could elevate him beyond his anger. And isn’t that just so... human of him? To let the weight of the past define his present?

Steven

When you step back and look at Buggy and Shanks, they started in the same place. There’s no denying that. But their choices—Buggy clinging to blame while Shanks moves forward—they split them into entirely different paths. It’s a reminder that resentment and blame, they’re like anchors holding us to the past. The people who grow, who achieve something greater, they’re the ones who, honestly, find a way to let go.

Steven

Let me share something personal, something that still kind of sticks with me. There was a time in my life where I held onto resentment—like Buggy, just clinging to this sense that someone else was responsible for the way things unraveled. And you know what? It didn’t help. It didn’t fix or change anything; it only kept me stuck. The real turning point was when I realized that forgiveness, or maybe just letting go altogether, opened doors I didn’t even know were there.

Steven

So, here’s a question for you—are you holding onto a past grudge that’s keeping you from moving forward? How would your life change if, like Shanks, you focused on the future instead of the weight you’re dragging behind you?

Steven

Identify one resentment or misunderstanding you’ve been carrying. Ask yourself—does it still serve you, or is it time to let it go? Because, ultimately, true growth comes when we focus on what we can control, not the things we can’t change.

Steven

Buggy’s problem isn’t just his grudge against Shanks—it’s the way his emotions, honestly, run the show. When you look at how he operates, it’s clear he makes decisions fueled by anger. There’s no strategy, no long-term thinking. Like, everything is about the immediate need to settle scores, and it’s, well, predictable.

Steven

This obsession with revenge—on Luffy, on Shanks—it’s blinding him. Instead of asking himself, “What can I do to strengthen my crew or my position?” Buggy clings to this circular goal of retaliation. And when leaders let emotions dictate their choices, they... lose focus. They lose the ability to, I dunno, think beyond the next step, the next outburst.

Steven

In life, that kind of emotional leadership—it’s a recipe for self-sabotage. Buggy might be powerful, sure, but his inability to control his reactions leaves him, ironically, pretty vulnerable. Because when you’re trying to lead—or achieve any meaningful goal, really—you need to channel emotions, not let them run wild. That’s what separates the impulsive from, well, the truly successful.

Steven

I’ll admit, I’ve been there—moments when frustration or anger took over, and suddenly I’m making choices I wouldn’t, uh, normally make. Like this one time when I let that... heat of the moment drive a decision. And, not surprisingly, it backfired. I think—and this took a while to really learn—but stepping back, pausing, and separating emotion from strategy? That’s when things start to fall into place. For me, it wasn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it was about earning trust, building stronger relationships, and thinking clearly.

Steven

And you have to ask yourself, do you let emotions dictate your decisions? Or do you step back, breathe, and look at things more logically? Because, you know, the strongest individuals, in leadership or in life, they channel their emotions into something productive. They don’t react—they recalibrate.

Steven

Next time anger or frustration gets to you, try something simple. Pause. Take three deep breaths. It sounds, I dunno, almost too easy. But honestly, that moment of calm can stop you from saying or doing something you’ll regret later.

Steven

Maybe even go one step further. Start journaling. Just write down those moments when emotions clouded your judgment, when you reacted instinctively instead of rationally. Because reflecting on those experiences, it’s like giving yourself a little roadmap for how to handle things better next time.

Steven

Buggy’s going on one of his classic rants, right? Just letting everything out—his grudge against Shanks, his fury about being underestimated. But here’s the thing, Luffy doesn’t care. I mean, if anything, he looks kind of amused, like he’s not even phased. And you know what? That’s something we can all learn from.

Steven

Luffy’s strength, it doesn’t come from proving something to the people around him. It comes from within. He’s totally confident in himself, in his dream, in what he’s fighting for. He doesn’t need, you know, anyone else’s approval. That’s what sets him apart and what makes him such a powerful character.

Steven

Too often, we fall into this trap, don’t we? Chasing external validation—like, we’ll feel confident when someone praises us, or when we hit a certain milestone. But here’s the reality: true confidence, it starts internally. It doesn’t depend on, like, who’s clapping for you in the background. If you don’t believe in yourself first, no amount of validation will ever feel, you know, enough.

Steven

There’s this moment where Buggy’s trying to get under Luffy’s skin, taunting him, you know, testing him—and Luffy, he doesn’t flinch. Why? Because he’s got this rock-solid sense of who he is. He’s not out to impress anyone; he’s chasing his own dream, becoming Pirate King on his terms. It's not about proving others wrong; it’s about proving himself right.

Steven

I’ve been there too. There was a time when I cared, like, way too much about what people thought of me. Their opinions shaped the choices I made, the risks I took—or more accurately, the ones I was too afraid to take. And it wasn’t until I shifted my focus, stopped worrying so much about, I guess, impressing others, that I started to see real progress. I set personal goals that, honestly, weren’t about anyone else but me. And, surprise, that’s when success started coming naturally.

Steven

So let me ask you—are you, right now, seeking validation from outside sources? Or are you building the kind of confidence that comes from within? Because if it’s the latter, you’ll find it changes everything. It’s freeing. It allows you to focus on the things that really matter to you, not what others expect from you.

Steven

Here’s a little challenge for you. Pick one area of your life where you’ve been looking for external validation. Maybe it’s work, maybe it’s social media, maybe it’s even your relationships. Now, take that, and instead of asking, “What will others think of this?” start asking, “What do I think? How does this align with my goals, my dreams?” That’s where real confidence starts.

Steven

When you think of Buggy, success is pretty straightforward, right? It’s all about treasure and proving his enemies wrong. But here’s the thing—measuring success that way, it’s kind of... limiting. It’s like building this house on really shaky ground. Sure, you might have a flashy exterior, but there’s no foundation underneath.

Steven

Buggy’s entire focus is revenge and wealth. That’s what he thinks will make him feel accomplished. And, look, it’s easy to see why—those things are tangible. You can hold treasure in your hands, you can see the look on someone’s face when you ‘defeat’ them. But what happens after? You’ve got your treasure, you’ve won your fight... but, well, then what? That emptiness sets in because those wins? They’re fleeting. There’s no deeper fulfillment there.

Steven

And Buggy isn’t, you know... alone in this. A lot of us fall into the same trap. We chase things like a job title, more likes on social media, or even proving someone wrong. It feels great in the moment, but over time, it’s like drinking salt water. It doesn’t really quench what you’re actually thirsty for.

Steven

I’ve... been down that road myself. There was a point where my own definition of success was, honestly, pretty superficial. It wasn’t about who I was becoming—it was about what I could show for it. But, I’ll tell you what, once I made that shift—once I measured success in terms of personal growth, the kind of impact I was making, even just building deeper relationships with the people in my life—it changed everything. Suddenly, I wasn’t chasing anymore. I felt grounded.

Steven

And that brings me back to Buggy—he’s powerful, sure, but his values? They hold him back. Instead of expanding his world, they keep it really, really small. The truth is, the most successful people, they don’t let anyone else define what that word—success—means for them. They look inward, not outward.

Steven

So let me ask you—are you chasing success for the right reasons? Or are you kind of, uh, stuck in this mindset that’s just about the surface-level wins? And here’s an even bigger question—what would actually fulfill you? Like, beyond money, beyond applause. What’s that deeper thing you’re really striving for?

Steven

Take a moment today to write it down. Define success in a way that’s more than just a number or a trophy. Think about growth, think about the relationships you’re nurturing, think about the legacy you’re building. Because when you stop chasing and start focusing on what really matters, that’s when you’ll find the kind of success that actually lasts.

Steven

Luffy and Buggy might both be pirates, adventurers aiming for, well, what they think is greatness. But when you take a closer look, their objectives couldn’t be more different. Luffy dreams big—his goal is to become the Pirate King, to explore the world, to live freely. Buggy? He’s caught up in this endless loop of grievances and short-term wins, like his ego won’t let him see beyond the horizon.

Steven

Let’s think about this for a second. Luffy’s vision—it’s inspiring, right? It draws people to him because it’s about more than just himself. That kind of big-picture thinking, it creates momentum. But Buggy, with all his over-the-top antics, he’s stuck chasing revenge, proving himself to people who, honestly, have already left him in the past. It’s like he’s anchored to these old wounds, these petty rivalries, while Luffy’s out there setting sail—literally and figuratively.

Steven

And it makes you wonder: what are you focusing on? Are you like Luffy, looking ahead, building something meaningful? Or, like Buggy, are you caught up in those small, trivial battles that keep you stuck? Because the truth is, people with a strong vision naturally move forward—they grow, they succeed, they inspire. But if all you’re doing is reacting to petty distractions, you’ll find yourself, well, standing still.

Steven

I’ve had my fair share of ‘Buggy moments.’ There was a time when I found myself obsessing over a specific, uh, failure—something I kept reliving, as if rewriting the past could fix it. I wasn’t moving forward; I was fixated on proving something, on proving someone wrong. And looking back, I can see how much time and energy I wasted. The shift happened when I chose to focus on what lay ahead, on what I wanted to build instead of what I wanted to fight against. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.

Steven

Here’s the thing about playing the long game—it requires clarity. Luffy’s pursuit of becoming Pirate King, it’s driven by a vision that’s bigger than his own pride. Buggy, on the other hand, is trapped by his ego. And the difference between the two? Well, it’s the difference between leading with purpose versus being led by impulses. One moves forward; the other stays small.

Steven

So, what about you? Are your actions—right now—contributing to a long-term vision, or are they a reaction to something small and fleeting? Because that’s the real question, isn’t it? Where is your focus taking you?

Steven

Take a moment. Write down what your vision is—your big-picture dream, the one that excites you, drives you. And whenever you find yourself stuck in a petty conflict or distraction, ask yourself: Does this matter in the big picture? Sometimes, just that little shift in perspective can lay the course for a whole new journey.

Steven

Let’s talk about Buggy’s loss, because, wow, it’s not just a physical defeat—it’s, honestly, a reflection of something deeper. When Luffy defeats him, it’s not just about strength or skill. It’s about mindset. Buggy’s overconfidence, his refusal to adapt—it all comes crashing down. And instead of taking that moment to learn, to grow, what does he do? He blames everyone else. Classic Buggy, right?

Steven

And here’s the thing—failure is something we all face, right? It’s inevitable. But what separates, I guess you could say, the Buggy types from people like Luffy or Shanks, is how they react to those failures. Do they analyze it, figure out what went wrong, and adjust? Or... do they, you know, waste time pointing fingers, looking for excuses? That choice, it’s everything.

Steven

I’ll be honest, I’ve been where Buggy is—in a way. I remember this one time, early in my career, where I faced what felt like a massive failure. A project I had so much hope for, it just... fell apart. And my first reaction? Blame. I mean, I was pointing fingers left and right, telling myself it wasn’t my fault. But, uh, deep down, I knew better.

Steven

The moment things started to shift was when I stopped focusing on, you know, who was at fault, and started asking myself, ‘Okay, what can I take away from this? What’s the lesson here?’ And, uh, it wasn’t easy. It’s never easy. But turning failure into feedback? That’s when progress finally started happening. Buggy, though... he doesn’t get that. He stays stuck in this loop of blame and denial.

Steven

So, what about you? When you hit a setback, do you pause and reflect? Or do you find yourself caught up in that same blame game? Because, honestly, the people who grow, who really make something of themselves, they’re the ones who look at failure not as a roadblock, but as, like, a stepping stone.

Steven

Here’s a little exercise for you. Think back to your last major failure. I know, it’s not exactly fun, but hear me out. Write it down—just, like, the facts of what happened. And then list three things you can take away from that experience, three lessons you’ve learned. It’s simple, but, honestly, it’s game-changing. Because once you shift from blame to responsibility, you stop being stuck, and you start moving forward.

Steven

And here’s a mindset trick I like to use—failure isn’t the end. It’s feedback. It’s the world’s way of saying, ‘Try again, but this time, do it differently.’ And just like that, failure stops being something to fear, and it becomes, well, a tool—a way to recalibrate and come back stronger.

Steven

Leadership. It’s not, you know, just about giving orders or holding power over others. True leadership—the kind that inspires loyalty and trust—it starts with vision, and it’s carried through by character. Which brings me to Luffy and Buggy—two pirates, two leaders, but with leadership styles so vastly different that they might as well be on opposite sides of the ocean.

Steven

Luffy leads with inspiration. His crew believes in him because they see his clarity, his unwavering determination, and his respect for their unique strengths. He doesn’t command loyalty; he earns it. And that, I think, is the secret of real leadership. It’s not about forcing people to follow—it’s about showing them why the destination is worth it, why the journey matters.

Steven

Buggy, on the other hand... well, his leadership style is all about self-interest. He manipulates, he intimidates, and yeah, sure, he gets people to follow him—but out of fear, not trust. Fear might work in the short term, but eventually, it crumbles. Because fear creates cracks—distrust, betrayal. And when the foundation of your leadership is cracks and flaws, it’s only a matter of time before it all falls apart.

Steven

I’ve learned this the hard way, honestly. I’ve seen what happens when leadership is driven by control instead of connection. Early on, I thought leadership meant just telling people what to do, setting strict goals—and, well, pushing. But what I noticed—and it took me a while to really get this—is that it created distance, not closeness. My team wasn’t inspired; they were, I guess, just following because they had to, not because they wanted to. And that’s such a key difference.

Steven

What changed was when I shifted to leading by example. Instead of pushing people forward, I started walking beside them, showing that I believed in not just the goal, but in their ability to achieve it. And almost overnight, it was like walls came down. The connection was stronger. The results were better. I wasn’t just managing—I was leading.

Steven

So here’s something to think about. How do you lead in your own life? Whether it’s at work, with family, or even among friends—are you inspiring, or are you controlling? What kind of leader would you want to follow? Would you respect someone like Luffy, who uplifts and believes, or someone like Buggy, who relies on fear to maintain power?

Steven

For me, I’ve always admired leaders who focus on building people up rather than tearing them down. And here’s the thing—leadership, real leadership, isn’t about strength or authority, you know? It’s about the ability to bring out the best in people, even when—especially when—the odds are stacked against you.

Steven

Take a moment to think about someone you respect as a leader. What is it about them that leaves a lasting impression? Is it their confidence? Their empathy? Maybe it’s their ability to trust others. And here’s a challenge—practice that kind of leadership in your life. Start encouraging others, uplifting them instead of simply demanding results. Because the strongest leaders aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones who make others feel heard.

Steven

Zoro’s resilience—honestly, it’s something I find so inspiring. Here’s a guy who’s literally bleeding out, barely standing, and yet, he refuses to back down. Why? Because his dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman means more to him than the pain he’s enduring in the moment. And, you know, that kind of determination, it’s rare. But also, it’s a choice.

Steven

The thing about Zoro is that his pain, it’s not just physical—though, let’s be real, the guy takes an insane amount of punishment. It’s symbolic. It represents sacrifice, struggle, and that willingness to endure, to persist, for the sake of something greater. And there’s a lesson in that for all of us.

Steven

True strength doesn’t come from avoiding adversity or, you know, sidestepping discomfort. It comes from facing it head-on, embracing it even, because you know, deep down, it’s a necessary part of growth. It’s how you get stronger. And Zoro, he doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t shy away from that pain. He accepts it as part of the journey he’s chosen.

Steven

I remember this time when I was working towards a really big goal—something that meant the world to me. And the process, well, it was grueling. There were moments when I thought, ‘Why am I even doing this? Is it worth it?’ But, looking back, the answer? Yeah, it was. Because every small sacrifice I made, every late night, every uncomfortable step out of my comfort zone—it taught me something. It built me. And, honestly, I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything. It’s like Zoro’s journey—pain with a purpose becomes strength.

Steven

But here’s the thing—pain and struggle, they’re only transformative if we allow them to be. Too often, we try to avoid discomfort, don’t we? We numb it, deflect it, convince ourselves it’s too much to bear. And yet, isn’t it through those tough moments that we really find out what we’re made of? If Zoro avoided pain, he wouldn’t be the resolute warrior we admire. And in our own lives, if we avoid challenges, we hold ourselves back from reaching our potential.

Steven

So let me ask you—what struggles are you facing right now? And more importantly, how can you use them to grow? Are you retreating from discomfort or embracing it as part of your journey? It’s not an easy question to answer, but it’s one worth sitting with.

Steven

Here’s a small challenge—a way to flip the script on struggle. Think of one area in your life where, right now, you feel stuck or frustrated. And instead of looking for an escape route, think about how you can push through. How can confronting that discomfort make you stronger? And maybe, just maybe, try creating a mantra—something simple like, ‘Resilience leads to strength.’ Honestly, it helped me remind myself to keep going, even on the toughest days.

Steven

One of the things I love about the Straw Hat crew is how each member brings their unique strengths to the table. Luffy’s leadership, Zoro’s resilience, and Nami’s intelligence—they’re like puzzle pieces that, together, create something unstoppable. It’s not just about their individual abilities; it’s how those abilities complement each other that makes this team so strong.

Steven

Here’s the thing—teamwork isn’t always easy. It’s messy, it’s, you know, unpredictable at times. But what makes it so powerful is that it allows for balance. Where one person might falter, someone else can step in, fill the gap, and keep things moving forward. Luffy might be the captain, but even he isn’t doing this alone. And that’s the beauty of it—they know they can rely on each other.

Steven

And yet, how often do we, I guess, try to carry everything on our own shoulders? It’s easy to fall into that lone wolf mentality, thinking, ‘If I don’t do it myself, it won’t get done right.’ But honestly, that mindset can be so limiting. It keeps us from seeing the bigger picture, from tapping into the strengths of the people around us.

Steven

I’ve learned this the hard way, let me tell you. There was a time when I thought asking for help was a sign of weakness—as if admitting I couldn’t do something on my own would somehow, I don’t know, diminish me. But when I finally started trusting others, delegating, and leaning on the people who had skills I didn’t, things changed. A project that felt impossible on my own suddenly became manageable because I wasn’t doing it alone anymore.

Steven

So let me ask you this—are you trying to do everything alone? Or have you built a support system you trust, people who can step in and bring their strengths to the table? And here’s another thought—who in your life has qualities that complement your own? Maybe they think differently than you do, or they’re skilled in areas where you’re not as strong. How can you collaborate with them to achieve something bigger than yourself?

Steven

Here’s a small exercise to try. Think about one area where you’re struggling right now—something that feels like too much to handle. Then, identify at least one person who could help you. Maybe it’s a friend, a coworker, or even a family member. Reach out, ask for their input, or invite them to, you know, work with you on it. It might feel awkward at first, but honestly, that’s how teamwork begins—by taking that first step of trust.

Steven

Because here’s the truth: the strongest people aren’t the ones who can do it all alone. They’re the ones who know when to ask for help, who value the strengths of others and build something greater together. The Straw Hats aren’t just a crew—they’re a family. And that’s why they work so well. They remind us that real success isn’t just about individual skill—it’s about finding the right people to share the journey with.

Steven

When you look at Luffy, there’s this undeniable confidence about him. And what’s, honestly, so powerful about it is that it doesn’t seem to come from proving himself to others—or even needing their approval. No. It’s like this deep, quiet belief that no matter what the world throws at him, he’ll find a way.

Steven

Take his dream of becoming the Pirate King, for instance. It’s not an easy goal. I mean, if anything, it’s borderline impossible. But has Luffy ever questioned it? Not once. Even when people laugh at him or call him delusional, he doesn’t waver. That belief, that certainty—it’s what keeps him moving forward. And, honestly, it’s so inspiring to watch.

Steven

But here’s the thing. Confidence like Luffy’s? It doesn’t happen because someone else says, “Hey, I believe in you.” It happens because you believe in yourself first. And I don’t mean that fake-it-till-you-make-it kind of thing. I mean real, grounded self-belief. The kind that says, “I don’t need permission to dream big or to pursue what matters to me.”

Steven

And I’ll admit, I didn’t always have that kind of confidence. There was a time when I cared a lot—like, way too much—about what people thought of me. If they didn’t approve of my choices, if they didn’t believe in my goals, I’d start questioning myself. It was like their opinions mattered more than my own. And, looking back, I can see how much that held me back.

Steven

The turning point for me? It was when I realized that waiting for validation was just another way of staying stuck. I started setting goals that weren’t about impressing anyone else—they were about me. What I wanted. What I envisioned for my life. And when I stopped worrying about external applause, everything shifted. I felt free to take risks, to trust my instincts, and to, honestly, fail without fear.

Steven

So, let me ask you—are you, right now, living for the approval of others? Or are you building the kind of confidence that comes from within? Because, here’s the thing: external validation will always be fleeting. But self-belief? That’s something no one can take from you.

Steven

And here’s a little challenge for you. Think about one bold goal—something you deeply care about but maybe haven’t pursued because, well, you’re worried about how it might look to others. Write it down. Let it sit there on the page. And instead of asking, “What will people think?” start asking yourself, “How does this align with who I wanna be, with what I value?” That shift, it might just be the first step toward building that unshakable confidence, Luffy-style.

Steven

When it comes to adaptability, Luffy is, well, just a masterclass in flexibility. Literally and figuratively, right? His ability to adjust mid-battle, to pivot when things aren’t going his way—that’s what makes him so hard to beat. He doesn’t cling to a single plan. Instead, he stays open, fluid, always thinking on his feet.

Steven

Now, compare that to Buggy. He relies on brute force, on intimidation. It’s like—if Plan A doesn’t work, well... he’s already out of ideas. That kind of rigid thinking? It’s not just a weakness; it’s a roadblock. Buggy’s stubbornness traps him, while Luffy’s adaptability allows him to outmaneuver, outthink, and outlast.

Steven

And this doesn’t just apply to battles, you know. Life is constantly throwing curveballs our way. Things change—jobs, relationships, even our goals. People who adapt, they thrive because they’ve learned to navigate unpredictability rather than resist it. But those who dig in their heels, who refuse to evolve, well, they end up stuck.

Steven

I’ve faced this first-hand. There was a point where I really, uh, struggled to embrace change. One of those moments where you feel like your plan is falling apart, and instinctively, you want to cling to it even harder. I remember working on a project where everything—like, literally everything—was going wrong. And my first thought was, ‘If I just keep pushing, it’ll fix itself.’ Spoiler: it didn’t. It wasn’t until I stopped resisting, until I looked at the situation through a new lens, that solutions started appearing. Letting go of the old plan? That’s when the breakthrough happened.

Steven

So, how do you handle unexpected challenges? Do you dig in, hold on tighter? Or are you willing to pause, reassess, and, I dunno, try something new? Because sometimes, adaptability isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being willing to get a little messy, to pivot and experiment until you find your footing again.

Steven

Here’s an exercise to try: identify one area in your life right now where you’re holding onto a plan or a method that just isn’t working. Ask yourself—what’s another way to approach this? Sometimes, even just asking that question can shift your perspective enough to uncover opportunities you didn’t see before.

Steven

And next time you feel stuck, remember this: true power doesn’t come from rigidly standing your ground—it comes from knowing when to stand firm and when to change course. That’s what sets Luffy apart, and it’s... honestly, what can set you apart too.

Steven

Zoro is, well, just the epitome of persistence, isn’t he? I mean, here’s a guy who’s standing his ground, even when his injuries are, like, life-threatening. And yet, he refuses to give up. Why? Because his dream—to become the world’s greatest swordsman—it means more to him than the pain he’s enduring in the moment. That’s the kind of grit that, honestly, inspires anyone watching.

Steven

And persistence like that, it’s not just about sheer willpower. It’s about having a purpose that’s, you know, bigger than the setbacks, bigger than the struggles life throws at you. Zoro teaches us that success—real, lasting success—it doesn’t come to those who give up the moment things get hard. It comes to those who keep pushing forward, even when, well, everything feels stacked against them.

Steven

Honestly, I’ve been there. There was this one point where I faced setback after setback. It was, uh, exhausting. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about quitting. But then, there was this moment, this turning point where I decided I wasn’t going to let the obstacle define me. Instead, I shifted my mindset and focused on what I could still do, what direction I could still move in. And that decision? That’s what made all the difference in the end.

Steven

But here’s the thing—this kind of mindset, it doesn’t come naturally. You have to, like, cultivate it, right? And it starts with asking yourself tough questions. Like, when have you given up too soon, and what might’ve happened if you had stuck with it just a little longer? It’s not always an easy thing to reflect on, but it’s so, so important.

Steven

And there’s power, I think, in having a reminder, a mantra even. Something as simple as, “I will succeed because I refuse to quit.” I know it sounds almost cliché, but sometimes, those words—they help you push through when everything else is telling you to stop.

Steven

When it comes to strength, I think we all understand there’s more than one way to show it. And One Piece demonstrates this so well. Luffy, for example, doesn’t just showcase strength through his power or his abilities—he embodies it in his character. There’s a kind of quiet respect he gives to those who truly earn it. It’s not about showing off or proving he’s stronger; it’s about acknowledging the discipline, the effort, the integrity it takes to stand by your values and goals. Now compare that to Buggy, who uses his power to control and intimidate. The difference is, honestly, night and day.

Steven

What struck me is that Buggy doesn’t actually earn the loyalty of his followers—they fear him. And fear might work in the short term, sure, but it doesn’t build anything lasting. It’s fragile. Luffy, on the other hand? His crew follows him because they believe in him. They respect him. And it’s not because he demands it—it’s because he proves, through his actions, that he’s earned it.

Steven

And that’s the lesson here, isn’t it? True strength isn’t about forcing respect. It’s about earning it. People naturally gravitate toward leaders or individuals who act with integrity. They trust those who respect them in return, who see strength not as a weapon but as a foundation for connection. Buggy wields power like a hammer. Luffy? He uses it like a bridge. And that makes all the difference.

Steven

I’ll share a personal story to bring this home a bit. There was a time when I found myself in a really tough spot professionally. Someone I didn’t particularly get along with had, after a series of miscommunications, approached me for help with a project. Now, I’ll admit, my first instinct was to just walk away—like, “Why should I help someone who clearly didn’t respect me?” But instead, I took a breath and decided to respect the situation, to approach it without arrogance or defensiveness. I focused on the work instead of the conflicts between us. And you know what? It actually led to a better outcome for both of us. And to my surprise, it also earned me their respect, not because I demanded it, but because I showed it first.

Steven

And let’s not forget—Luffy and Zoro demonstrate this over and over. Their strength, their discipline, how they treat people with a kind of quiet sincerity—it’s why they inspire loyalty. Buggy? He might have power, but he doesn’t have what it takes to keep people by his side without fear. And that’s why, ultimately, his arrogance undermines him. It’s a powerful reminder that being strong isn’t about making others feel small—it’s about uplifting them.

Steven

So here’s a question for you. In your own life, do you lead with respect, or do you, consciously or not, sometimes demand it? How do you handle those moments when someone treats you with arrogance instead of genuine strength? Do you reflect that energy back, or do you rise above it?

Steven

And how about this—make a conscious effort today to show respect in all your interactions, no matter the situation or status of the person you’re dealing with. Observe how it shifts the dynamic. And while you’re at it, think about the individuals in your life who naturally command your respect. What is it about them? Is it their confidence, their discipline, or maybe just their consistency? Let those qualities inspire you to lead by example.

Steven

From Zoro’s relentless determination to Luffy’s unwavering respect for true strength, this chapter really drives home a point we’ve seen throughout the entire story so far—success isn’t just about power. It’s about persistence. It’s about integrity. And most of all, it’s about knowing what you stand for.

Steven

Take Buggy, for example. Sure, he’s powerful—there’s no denying that. But the way he wields that power? It’s through fear, through control, demanding loyalty without earning it. Compare that with Luffy, who leads with conviction. He doesn’t need to force anyone to follow him; people naturally rally around him because they see his vision, his belief in himself and others. It’s like night and day, isn’t it? And, honestly, it’s a reminder for all of us—real influence comes from earning respect, not demanding it.

Steven

So, as we close out today’s episode, let me leave you with this. Are you staying true to your goals, even when setbacks try to knock you off course? Are you leading with respect and integrity, not just toward others, but toward yourself and your values? And most importantly—are you pushing forward, even when the path ahead feels uncertain?

Steven

Because at the end of the day, we all face challenges. But it’s what we choose to do in those moments that defines not just who we are, but who we’re becoming. So, stay resilient. Trust in your journey. Learn from the characters we’ve explored today. And, of course, as always, keep watching anime. It’s been an absolute pleasure sharing this space with you, and I can’t wait to tackle another adventure next time. Take care.