On resolutions, irony, setting the right training mindset and wisdom of the movie masters.
The more I think of it, Master Yoda was pretty much right on
the money.
It’s January 2018 – pretty soon, dojo and martial arts
schools far and wide will be flooded with new students of all ages. The young ones want to
learn to kick and punch. The older ones (hopefully) have goals expanded beyond
those same desires.
I can usually guess what a person’s commitment level is by
the language they use to describe what they want to do or what they’ve done. In
English, we use words like ‘do’ and ‘take’ related to karate training, but those are not the frames that
one should use if they are serious about their training – or even if they are
contemplating training.
The spirit missing from these words is that of resolve –
firm determination. Which is funny since many people will begin studying karate
as a new year’s resolution.
Oh, the irony.
My ears perk up when I hear people use words like ‘study’ or
‘practice’ in terms of the martial training. It tells me they take it
seriously. Folks who use this sort of language are either highly motivated or
have been studying for a number of years.
I have mixed feelings about the word ‘train’ when used with
martial arts. We talk about training. But the word does have strong ties to
sports. So, while I won’t bristle when someone uses the word, I will be listening
carefully to determine which side they fall in terms of their martial practice.
All of that to say, of course, that those who will come to
the dojo are most likely apprehensive. Or completely unaware of what they are
getting into (results may vary). What disappoints me is that they will, as Luke
said to the wise green one, “try.” Commitment is required to obtain anything of
value – in any endeavour. Like most resolutions, the desire to train often has
as much resolve as any other ‘goal’ that
one artificially sets for January 1.
Facebook’s Marketplace section is littered with karate
uniforms from schools large and small. Most are from children whose martial dreams
were short-lived. There are a few adult uniforms as well. Most are ‘hardly ever
worn’ or ‘gently used.’ That tells me that reality did not meet expectation. Or
that expectation was probably wholly unrealistic.Or there was never any expectation – the parties involved
all agreed to “try it out.”
Nope, no set up for failure there at all. No sirree.
Nut-uh.
In any case, these sale items reinforce that there was likely
barely even a try. And that is sort of what Yoda was trying to say.
Everybody wants to be a Jedi til they realize that it’s not
just all cool hermit robes and light sabres.
Sorta like karate.
Mr Miyagi also had to have “the talk” with Daniel.
Think of It as the Okinawan version of the Jedi conversation. Sure, it’s cool
to wear a karate uniform and punch and scream. But it takes a whole lot more
than a uniform to make the person. In fact the uniform, like the art, never
makes the person. It is always the person in the martial driver’s seat.
That aside, what was it with these movie protégés in the 80s
anyway?
I’ve said it before, I will say it again: if you only spend
a class. a week or a month in the dojo, then you are not giving yourself much of
a chance. And you are certainly not giving karate much of a chance. If you’re
there, tough it out, put in the time and at least get a belt out of it. Or maybe two. Or
maybe hang around after that and keep going and see where you end up.
That’s the difference between someone who ‘does’ karate and
someone who ‘practices’ it. Doing is a seemingly passive action inside
something that is dynamic. Practicing means you are focused, motivated and
engaged. You are not a passive actor in your own martial journey.
Karate is not all fun and games. In fact, it is not fun and
games at all. It is difficult and serious and can be painful at times to train.
But continuing the journey puts you on a stratospherically different level than
those that came and left. What sets you apart from these folks is your resolve.
It is how you frame your training and how you interpret your journey.
Are you a “do person,” a “don’t person” or someone why is
maybe in a “guess so” mindset who will give karate “a try?” Success or failure,
adaptation or rejection – it’s all up to you.
I leave the final words or points on why quitting is the
wrong choice and how your mindset helps you overcome the rough parts that arise
in training – and there are many. Enjoy the nuggets from Senseis Ali and Tyson
respectively:
-
- I hated every minute of training, but I said,
'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'
- Discipline, doing what you hate to do but do it
like you love it.
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