For the last two blogs I have talked about how training in martial arts has similarities to training for a marathon or climbing Mt. Everest and while I still like these analogies, in its true essence, it is not about the race or the mountain, but about a journey to improve oneself.
While I am an advocate of goals (e.g., finishing a marathon, getting to the top of a mountain, reaching the rank of Black Belt, etc.), those “finishes” are not as important as the obstacles you overcome, the persistence of continuing, how you improve (mind, body, and spirit), and what you learn about yourself along the way. The reality is in martial arts there is no “finish”. Yes, there are milestones one can point to along the way, but there is no finish.
This is one of the reasons I prefer to use the terminology “studying” martial arts versus training to describe the path of martial arts. Training can imply there is a finish or a pinnacle goal. When studying, there is more of a connotation of continuing to learn (and grow) as a person – from a journey.
And to learn and grow as a martial artist you need to show up to class. And sometimes the obstacles in our journey start with showing up – so, what is keeping you from attending class? Even if injured, what is stopping you from showing up and mentally going through the techniques and forms, listening to the instruction? Even a mental practice will help you sustain or improve your skill and knowledge.
How have you improved from attending class? Do you have more mental focus that has helped help you get through a or a challenging problem at work? Do you have more stamina to get through other physical activities you take part in?
What have you learned about yourself lately from showing up to class? Have you learned you have more physical skill than you thought?
In the words of our club founder Mr. Ui Jung Kim, we study “To better ourselves”.
So, show up and if you are not showing up, ask yourself what obstacle is so important to stop you from trying to improve physically, mentally, spiritually.
Regards,
Kelly
” The black belt
is not a mark or symbol of the end of the journey to one’s mastery of the arts;
rather it is the mark that one is done packing for their journey and may now
take the first step in their true journey. This a journey which cannot ever be
complete, only traveled...” ~ Unknown
