Place of the Way.

I always love it when new people come to this path, especially young kids who say 'I can't wait to start sparring' or something vague like that.
This is not meant to be disrespectful, but it is not my job to be a nice guy, good guides will never tell you what you want to hear, they will never sugar coat anything. Tell it as it is and you can never stray because the way is clear to that point.

My brother's little brother just started training in Goju Ryu Karate at a place called the Ni Neko Dojo in Lovelock Nevada; I know jack about the school and less about the Teacher, so I can't really say anything about the training.
One thing I noticed is that he is not asking enough questions and is more tournament oriented in his mindset, that is fine, I remember when I was training along those lines, but I cannot go back to that way of thinking now that I have stepped a little farther down this branch of the path.
Whatever floats your boat, and that will change with time and experience, maybe, unless it is one of those passing things that is picked up for a while and dropped like a bad habit, as most people do more often than they like to admit.
Bragging rights maybe? The thing about youth is there is always something the prove, but if they open to the experience it can become so much more.

It always gets me that they constantly try to impress me with belt colors and words like 'sparring,' but what do these things really mean? I understand from the perspective of a former Sport Competitor, but on this side of the fence they really mean nothing.
Show me some good posture, show me that you understand what it is you are doing by doing it to the best of your ability, regardless of rank or stature, regardless of how many plastic trophies you have won or chincy medals that will chip over time as the gold paint flakes off.
Mine is not a game for young people alone, when you can no longer perform as your joints grow stiff and sore from extreme improper use.

The history is interesting, and if you know enough to ask questions and study the history, this is a good start, especially for the younger crowd.
Do they care about these things? That has not been my experience with the MMA Generation, who tend to want to be the next Ultimate Fighter, or whatever is on TV these days.
Yeah, I sound old, though I am still young, my mindset has been imprinted by the old school and continues to grow along those lines.

I do not spar in the sense that is defined by the mainstream and there are very few people who impress me, those that do know who they are. While I sit back, shut up, and listen to pretty much everyone, there are only a few that stick.
Welcome to the lonely path, the belt you wear is great for confidence, but do you just collect belts? Is this a passing fad that seemed interesting at the time? Only time will tell, and a very short amount of time with most...