Lessons from the Dojo
Hello! This is my first attempt at doing a weekly blog. While my musings and attempts at comprehensible speech are entertaining to our dog (Tully is her name) . Let’s hope this will be the same success with you guys!
Back in September we had a tournament. Yes. A tournament. A word that can conjure up the innermost nerves and fears.
However, what makes a tournament a tournament is not what many think. Is it a way to showcase your training? Yes! Is it a way to compete against others of the same rank? Absolutely! It is also a forum for fellowship and community! 100 percent! Is it an excuse to eat candy and call it “My fighting energy “! Probably not and that’s just me.
Those are important things that the tournament represents. For me though the most critical aspect is this.
Staying humble.
What?!?! Humble? “ Bo, did you get kicked in the head too hard?” Why yes I did. (Lonestar Martial Arts don’t play) However, that’s not the point and I digress.
At the heart of Martial Arts is staying humble and teachable. If you don’t hold that humble spirit. Then you don’t have a teachable spirit. And if you don’t have that teachable spirit. Then what are you in martial arts to really do?
When you step in a ring to fight, perform Kata or weapons. There is always going to be someone better than you. That’s not a knock on your/our skill level, but a nod of the head to the dedication that person has put into that part of their discipline.
It is motivation for us all to practice a little more each day. It takes being humble enough to tell yourself. “You know, their stance is really good and that kick was perfect. I need to put more time in to get there”.
The Bible speaks to that teachable spirit as well.
It is not something I say to condemn confidence. We need to be proud of the training we are working on.
But to have that reminder we all have something to continue learning.
So get in there, get sweaty, and keep pushing!!!
Stay Humble Fellow Warriors of God!!