It's Not Too Late

Post By: Ken Smith

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your entire martial arts career laid out in front of you in your own words? Your challenges, your accomplishments, your “ahah moments”?  Well, although it may too late to capture it all from the beginning, it'’s not too late to start now, because only the past is certain. The future is yet to be written.

Keeping a journal of your training can add a level of depth in your understanding of the techniques as well as understanding of yourself.  You can use it to remember key points that were taught during class or to jot down questions for Sensei later. Sometimes there'’s a certain technique that suddenly just “works” because some little adjustment you make. Write it down!  While it's still relevant to the state of mind you’re in, it’s easier to remember.  For some, jotting down what they value from the practice right after class can be easiest. For others, choosing another time later in the day can work better. It doesn’t matter when.  Just try it.

With all the electronic means today to record just about anything, keeping a journal about important things in your life is easier than ever.  But something as simple as a pen and pad of paper can add a lasting dimension to a part of your life that would otherwise be left to memory.  You can do it anyway you choose.  Jot down words, phrases, concepts, even the occasional humorous description by a Sensei. For example “ "Being centered with the uke is the way to be. It’s the string cheese of life”." I guess you had to be there, but thanks to Sensei Jay for that classic moment in Aiki class May 9^th 2009. Now that classic moment lives on permanently “out there” on the Internet thanks to my journal. 

Maybe you can take this moment as your start of your journal similar to when I mentioned to Sensei, “ "I wish I had written down stuff I’ve learned from when I started."”  He said “ "Why not start now, it’s not too late.”"  And it’s not. Try it for a week. After a week, look at what you wrote and I bet that it helps all those important bits of info soak in deeper to the places they belong in your training. If not, then maybe you can just forget the whole thing….

Photo By: Nattavut