Don't Let Your Ego Stop You-Martial Art Journey #5

Keep your ego in check and your eye on your goal. This applies to success in martial arts and just about anything else. How so?

I can’t tell you the number of times I have screwed up simply because I let my ego get in the way of things. In another words, I often times have been my own worst enemy because I lost focus of my goal.

Approximately 10% of all people that enroll in martial arts actually obtain a Black Belt. A good Master or Instructor will challenge a student in character building traits when he reaches the higher belt ranks.

During belt testing, sometimes I was tested in self-discipline and temperament. Normally during testing for a higher belt, there is a lot of pressure and tension. During special challenging moment for me, the Instructor would say something to me that he knew would really piss me off.

I soon learned to swallow my pride and bite my tongue and take the criticism in a positive manner. I did this because I wanted to pass the belt test and please my Master. This self restraint and discipline soon becomes a habit. I wanted that Black Belt very much. And, I was determined not to screw up my chances of getting it, by blurting out some stupid thing at the moment-like loose my temper.

Not realizing it at the time; but, this was excellent training for other aspects of life. Self-control for business client interaction or just plain getting along with people. In fact, I felt that getting a Black Belt was equivalent to getting a Phd degree in Self-Control.Traditional Training

One of the end results of my martial art journey was learning to keep my ego in control. In another words, making my emotions work for me, rather than against me.Get What You Want

Martial Arts Shows 5 Ways To Live Powerfully!

*FOCUS-You get power of intense concentration from martial arts. People can be jumping up and down around you, screaming and yelling, but you, stay focused on your opponent. That’s right. You don’t take your eyes off your opponent. Because you know he has one objective in mind; namely, to knock your head off and or place a well connected kick into your solar plex.

The more earnest the contest, the more you remain calm and focused. This is the Way in martial arts. You can’t afford to give up self-control to your opponent. If you do, most likely he will score on you.

*SELF CONTROL-Sparring in Tae Kwon Doe requires tremendous physical stamina and self-control. The exertion caused from leg thrusts, rather it be side kick, back kick, front kick, spinning kick, axel kick or whatever takes a lot of strength and energy. The force of impact, when you are on the receiving end of one of these kicks can be very traumatic. So, self-control is essential. Just a few minutes of intense sparring can leave you exhausted.

No matter what, you must stay relaxed and focused when performing in martial arts.

*RESTRAINT-You must always keep a governor on your emotions in martial arts.You can’t let your emotions have the right away. If you give into the pure emotion, most likely your opponent will capitalize on it and score on you. In another words, if you opponent gets a good lick on you, you can’t let your anger cause you to loose your objectivity, the need to score points on your opponent. You do that only by keeping a cool head and presence of mind which means living powerfully.

*RESPECT-“What goes around comes around”. This certainly applies to giving Respect to people. You may not like them or agree with them, but, if you want to do yourself a favor, try giving respect to people. You may get the surprise of your life. Even those difficult people, yes, give them the benefit of the doubt, give them a little respect.

I am personally very impressed with this powerful tool-respect. I have given respect to some very obnoxious people. What happened? Generally speaking, I was surprised. These difficult people turned out to be often insecure sensitive folks looking for some attention and understanding. Once they felt they could trust you, they turned out to be very nice people.

I turned around my marriage. I figured if could give respect to total strangers; why not give respect to my own wife. So, I made a deliberate effort to show total respect and courtesy to my spouse. This occurred years after we were married. You know how it is. After awhile you start taking someone for granted, after you have lived with them for awhile. Well guess what, at first my wife looked at me like was he for real. It didn’t take long, and our entire relationship improved. This means to me living powerfully and loving powerfully, giving respect in martial arts and in life.

*COURTESY-this is a very under valued and important criteria. Show courtesy to everyone, both in martial arts and life. Treat other people just like you want to be treated. If you show courtesy, it tells that person you value them as an individual. Now who wants to argue with that? The Samurai of ancient times lived and shared their lives in temples. They all carried their swords with them all of the time. If you mistakenly bumped in to someone or insulted him, you could find yourself split open and gasping for you last breath on the temple floor.Get what you want

Consequently, Samurai decorum required all adherents to follow the strictest standards of Courtesy, careful not to offend someone, a very practical standard to follow in the 21st Century. I am referring to the good will you create by being courteous. Guess what? People respond to you most often in a reciprocal courteous manner. It makes life more enjoyable living powerfully from the lessons of martial arts

An Energy Rush was what I got out of “testing” in Tae Kwon Do. This is a natural high that comes from practicing martial arts. During testing for a higher belt, I never felt the exertion or pain and discomfort from a difficult board breaking kick.

This energy rush was almost always experienced during tournaments. Especially the sparring. Fortunately, this extra drive came in very handy during challenging sparring matches.

I found everything seemed to go ok until I became fatigued. Then, nothing seemed to go right. My plans and strategies for sparring seemed to go out the window. When you are really tired during a sparring match, your mind says, “Lets just get through this thing and get it over with.”

Consequently, during my eight years of martial arts and Tae Kwon Do, I stayed in pretty good shape. I ran a lot. Not because I loved running. I didn’t. But, I didn’t want to get creamed during a sparring match. If you are not in top shape when you spare, you will get beat.

I also got and still get that energy high at home. I mentioned before, that Tae Kwon Do helped my domestic life. Specifically, I learned to get along much better with my wife. Why? Because of the word and meaning of “Respect”. During my martial art classes, I discovered that it was ok to give respect to other people. By ok, I mean it wasn’t unmanly or weak to show respect to other people.

I tried this “respect” business out on my wife. I couldn’t believe the positive effect it had on her. Soon we were getting along very well. I allowed myself to give special treatment and consideration to people. The smile on their faces and the positive attitude they showed from this “respect” treatment I found to be awesome.

This gratification from giving respect to others is something I never bargained for or expected to get from practicing martial arts. Energy rush, Martial Art Knowledge

For inspiration and transformation Stand For Your Greatness

My most cherished memory of a strong spirit experience was when I received my Black Belt. My Master presented me with a special trophy award for my demonstrating a very strong spirit.

I showed this spirit in several ways. During classes, I always put all my effort into executing the many different kicks associated with Tae Kwon Do. No doubt my kicks weren’t always the most beautiful or perfect textbook wise. My age held back some flexibility that is always desirable. But, I did get the job done. What I lacked in flexibility, I made up for in desire and enthusiasm. And, my Master apparently appreciated that fact.

One of my biggest kicking challenges was the jumping front kick with board breaking. My toe was not very flexible. Consequently, it got in the way when I jumped high into the air and tried to break the board. Oh, I broke the board alright. I was always scarred to death I was going to break my toe. I never did. But, I often walked away from that exercise with a very bruised toe. I was always so pumped up with adrenaline during these board breaking contests, that I would have gladly driven that big old toe right through the board if that was what it took to break the board.

Tournament sparring was another activity were I exercised strong spirit. During one tournament, I came up against a guy who was 12 years younger than me and also more experienced. He was an instructor.

I figured I would have to be very aggressive in order to win the match. My straight forward aggression won me a “Tied” match. We both got lst place trophies which we were both happy with.(To be continued)Stand For Your Greatness

I was working out, martial art, at the local gym, when this guy near me, turned around and asked, “Hey man, you into Tae Kwon Do?"

I was wearing my Black Belt graduation sweater. “Yeah. How about yourself?”

“I am an instructor in karate at a state prison in northern New York. It works very well with the prisoners. I mean, like it has a very positive effect on them.”

“Oh yeah. I’ll tell you. It has a very positive effect on me.”

This karate instructor went on to say, “Yeah. When I was a teenager, martial arts was the only thing that helped me. I was on drugs and ran around with some bad company. Religion, counselors, you name it, just didn’t work with me. But, believe me, karate put a positive grip on me. It turned my whole life around.”

We soon ended our conversation and continued on with our workout.

Chuck Norris, the world famous actor, action hero, and ex-champion kick boxer does the same thing with young people. He helps them gain their self-respect, esteem and integrity through the teaching of martial arts.

I believe the reason it is so effective with juvenile delinquents is because of FEAR. The majority of these kids have been traumatized with fear and or some form of abuse. In order to face and deal with this fear they use the defense mechanism of tough guy or gal.

Starting out, young people gravitate to the martial arts because they want to learn to fight well. You know, to protect themselves and if necessary, hit on others. After they are in it for awhile, they learn getting into fights is the very last thing a student wants to do. I am talking about schools and Instructors that subscribe to the Traditional Way. (To be continued)Stand For Your Greatness

From white belt to 2nd Degree Black Belt.

At age 57 I began my journey into Tae Kwon Doe, a Korean martial art. I had no idea what I was getting into. I just knew I was in a rut and stagnating-mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. So I wanted to do something totally different in order to get out of my rut.

I remember the experience was quite demanding. Because this experience was new and different, I was forced to focus 100% of my attention on the Master’s instructions. The next morning, I woke up stiffer than a board. I had to force myself to just walk.

I soon realized, if I was going to survive this Tae Kwon Doe, my focus in class was going to have to be very strong. Executing the various kicks and sparring techniques was fun and interesting. However, continuous practice was going to be required.

After a few weeks of practice and attendance at the Dojang,(Tae Kwon Do school) I noticed that I was more relaxed and at ease with myself and others. I enjoyed the release of aggression and tension resulting from class participation.

To my surprise, my wife noticed a change in me. She thought I was getting easier to get along with. In another words, I was more relaxed. Physically and emotionally, I had loosened up a little. My mental attitude towards other people was changing also.

The idea of showing respect to everyone is one of the fundamental principles of Tae Kwon Do. I believe this idea and practice of giving respect to others was very significant in changing my relationship with my wife to a more positive manner. To be continued.Stand for Your Greatness