Food For Thought

“Courage isn’t freedom from fear...
... it is being afraid and carrying on”
Most of us experience challenging situations which put us under pressure; a hard training session or grading that is physically and mentally exhausting, an unexpected street confrontation, or even an emotionally difficult time in your life. However, difficulties also present opportunities to grow and break through limiting boundaries. It is natural to feel anxious or afraid; courage comes from experiencing this, choosing to face the difficulty and then dealing with it the best you can. There are relatively few gradings in our organisation but each of them tests your ability under pressure; those who take part sincerely, show strength of character and martial art spirit.

“Teachers open doors…
... but you have to enter by yourself”
If you attend a martial arts class, the teacher is there to show and guide you in the right direction, to correct mistakes and encourage. Yet even if you have found the best teacher in the world, he or she will only bring out the best in you through your own hard work and efforts; they cannot make you good, only your commitment and self discipline to train hard to make techniques your own will do this. After all, your teacher will not be there to fight your battles. You should also have lasting respect for your teacher. After many years with a skilled teacher, it is possible that your levels of skill will have met or even surpassed your sifu’s. You should not have less but greater respect as without them opening the doors, you would not have achieved your level. All professional boxers have coaches, but how many coaches spar ounce for ounce with them and should they have to anyway? On the other hand, if one of more students reaches excellence, then surely this is progress and achievement on the teacher’s part.