We hear stories and legends about the fortification of Castles and mansions. As a child, either at your father/mother's lap or granny's hands, you look forward to those stories that involved knights and knives. 

Your imagination played how the conquest looked, how the taking over of the Kingdom happened either from the outside or surprisingly from the inside.

The stories that resonated with betrayals struck you most because you felt it was impossible to eat with someone who wanted to eliminate you. 

You thought you could turn the hands of time to warn the King, but it's too late to change what has happened. 

You wish you could tell the soldiers to arm up, double their numbers to protect the gates because you know the enemy was coming in shortly. 

You reason within yourself, if you were the King, what would you have done differently? 

In reality, you are the King of your life. You have a kingdom within you called "The Inner Citadel" according to Marcus Aurelius.

Everyone tends to betray themselves consciously or subconsciously. Sometimes this betrayal leads to a significant downfall or an upgrade of our Kingdom.  

The end goal should always be to upgrade not downgrade. No matter what the situation or battle is.

The reason why good men turn bad is that they betray their inner citadel. 

No one was born evil. Terrible folks today opened up their heart to the enemy.

Out of revenge, they let in corruption to educate them on how to treat people. 

When anyone gets comfortable with evil, it sears the heart with the coal of hate by killing every nerve of peace, love and wisdom. 

This explains bad people might finish first but they never finish well.

Being a good man isn't a one-time thing. It's an everyday commitment. A lifetime commitment to ensuring you protect your heart, mind and soul. 

Fortifying the fortress with;

1. Hardcore discipline:

Same way, military personnel is disciplined and trained to be focused, determined and firm. You can develop yourself into such. 

The values you set will enable you to get through this life as a disciplined person. It will be your inner compass. 

2. Healthy habits: 

Your routines speak a lot about who you will become. If you want to become a man with strong will and full control of himself and his thoughts, you need to set up a healthy habit system. 

If you are struggling with a bad habit, one of the best ways is to set up productive activities right next to a bad habit you want to change. 

In due time, when you notice the difference, and you see the outcome, you will give up the bad habit. 

3. Digest positive materials:

What you feed grows. Feed your mind with great things, and you will become great.

You have to be passionate about protecting your mindset in order not to self-sabotage. The forces in this world are far too furious. 

If your mindset can be strong, you will be able to withstand the storm of chaos.

Wrap up

The day the enemy will come isn't announced, but your grit will determine how easy they will get in or if you will be the winner before the battle begins.

Stay strong, brother, stay firm.