All too often, we forget lessons learned when we were kids or we don’t do what we teach our kids.
Read this article about ways to help your kids but try to see how it can apply yourself too.
Examples:
Taking risks – do you still take suitable risks? Once we settle into a job or have a family, it can become so safe and comfy that you no longer want to try anything new. You forget your passion and settle for a paycheck. In combat, most want to stay outside, closing the distance is messy but along with the risks, it also open up opportunities not assessable otherwise.
Love of life – we see monks meditate. Photographers also see things in a different angle. Dancers and gymnasts feel the music and beats. Do you respond to the outside environment and appreciate things and people around you still? Martial arts is more than just ‘protecting you’ just in case something bad happens, in my world, it is about the learning, discovery, appreciation, enjoyment and love of things around you too!
Self-Discipline – channeling (versus controlling) impulse is needed in adult life as much as for kids. Impulse to binge in alcohol, spending way too much on things you don’t need are all driven by impulses. Allowing someone’s ‘in your face’ comments or behavior affect your own game plan is not the way to fight smart.
Honesty – honesty / vulnerability is often interpreted as weakness. When I interview people for jobs, some try to pretend they know something that they don’t and it shows. I would rather someone say: “This is not an area I am expert in but this is what I will do…”. Admitting shortfall allows you to learn and get help. Pretending that you know-all will lead you into trouble. Life is about experimentation and learning because it is always changing, willingness to pull in resource from outside is not a sign of weakness but strength.
EXERCISE
Pick any of the six ideas mentioned in the article and discuss why it is important from a martial arts perspective and how you can train / improve on it.
Follow up from last week’s blog – read an old article.
Modern combat triad