Last Week's Message

From an anonymous author:

• I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

What does this mean? Well, regardless of what your religious beliefs are, we only have one shot at living the current life we have now. Why not make it a good life? Why not do good for ourselves, our families and mankind in general?

"Fellow creature" can be taken to mean our fellow human beings. We can also apply that meaning to the creatures that share this Earth space with us. This does not mean you should be a Vegan and only eat vegetable and fruit foods. But we can respect the animals around us and not be cruel and mean to them. Caring for a pet can teach us much about ourselves and assists in learning patience and understanding.

Do things that are meaningful and lasting. Even if only small in nature, flowers given to a friend or family member "just because" can leave a memory that will be cherished and remembered fondly.

As it relates to our training, assisting our fellow students in advancing by challenging them with a good punch and/or good resistance will help them become better at their self-defense. This does not mean to punch with the intent to maim or destroy our partner. We want that partner to come back and 'play' with us. Creating meaningful threats and giving active resistance allows our techniques to be tested and verified. There is a fine line between a "meaningful threat" and a destructive technique. For example, a strong kick to the back of the thigh is sufficient to let our partner know they didn't defend properly. If we perform a strong kick with full force directly at the side or front of the knee, we will hurt that partner and take them out of training for a good long while (if they ever fully recover that is). Meaningful threat doesn't mean to maim, but to challenge and help our training partner grow.

Calling up a classmate for additional training builds comraderie and relationships. Questions can be answered when going through the movements, techniques and applications revealed in the classroom. Remember that Martial Arts is an eternal journey that never ends with "the perfect technique". "There is no such thing as a perfect technique, only perfect applications for the situation at hand".

Consider what I have just said that in life, we might only get one chance to do something right. Take the time to practice thousands of times so that if a dangerous situation presents itself, when you execute the appropriate technique it will be...perfect.

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We are going over fighting at both schools this week with a smattering of the following: 3 punch combination, lunch punch combination, elbow series, and kata for all and weapons with the senior ranks.

Osu.