It has been an interesting couple of months for me.
Moving forward, assessing core values, goals, their alignment, to seek where things are lacking in an effort to improve.
To see why certain things are done while other things neglected.
Is this really serving a valuable purpose, or is it merely an effort to avoid that which is unpleasant?
What does this have to do with training? Everything.
Training does not end at the edge of a smooth wooden floor or tatami mat.
It does not come merely as punches, kicks, locks, throws, or submissions.
All of life is training, one day at a time, moment by moment.
There are many forks we come across on this road, we make our choices, but do we choose wisely or poorly? Why?
Do we take the easy path because we do not like the idea of the hardship ahead? Fear based decisions tend to be future based while decisions based on true intrinsic core values/virtues we each hold tend to be more focused in the now.
It is not the destination, but the journey, as the old cliche goes.
The funny thing is that we can tell a lot more about our true intrinsic values by our actions, not our thoughts, nor even our words.
What do you avoid? Why? What do you tend to do? Why? Where is your focus? If you had no impediments how would you act? What would you do?
Is training something that springs from core values/virtues, or is it merely a Vice? Something that you do for your own sake, or something you do to shout ‘look at me! Notice me! I am special!’
Here is a secret, no one cares. If all you try to do is grab attention, recognition, then all you are doing is stroking a fragile ego and you will be disappointed when no one really takes an interest.
That is a weakness, not a strength. Seeking that extrinsic value is fleeting in the long run, true value is found within, as is your true opponent.
What do you do when you hit an obstacle? How quickly do you give up without further effort or examination?
Obstacles are not stumbling blocks, they offer more than you may realize.
Obstacles are our truest Teachers, they lead to, and advance, the way.
The only way forward is through.
How do you deal with irritation, frustration, and anger?
Yes, these are hits that hurt. Work them out, something we all deal with.
Do you seek to lash out? To gain the upper hand? To control the situation through force and intimidation like an animal? Seeking to establish your dominance and destroy the annoyance?
Maybe turn inward? Acknowledge? Accept? Then you might be able to choose how you respond rather than reacting based on chaotic emotional heat.
Yes, there will always be emotion, and many do not have a good handle on that, but that does not mean getting a handle on yourself is impossible… It is the only thing you really do have ‘control’ over.
How does any of this play out on the floor? How do you fair in, say, sparring when you have a hot head and your opponent remains level, centered, and cool?
What happens when you allow too much thought to seep in to your training? What happens when you see an obstacle, such as learning a new lock, throw, or strike as being impossible to grasp and you give up?
It is really obvious how this plays out on the floor, how it plays out in life, even in drastic situations that could spell life and death… Panic and you die… Lose your cool and the assailant has you.
Train with that in mind, and treat each moment as a little death to maintain the reality behind it, because you ARE dying in each moment as you creep steadily closer to that last breath you will ever take on this Earth.
How much more are you willing to procrastinate? How much more time do you actually have?
Now, RIGHT NOW, is the time…
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