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

Thoughts on Testing Requirements

Post by: Lee Phelan

When I was in high school I loved art, and my day was packed full of art classes. There was one particular project that I was extremely excited about. We were asked to construct a box out of whatever materials we wanted, the inside was supposed to represent our inner selves, while the outside was what we portrayed to the world. I was so excited about it that I took my project home and stayed up all night working on it, ignoring the other homework I had been assigned that day. By five in the morning the box was done and I was thrilled, however, the art teacher was not.

He explained to me that this project wasn't going to be due until the end of the month, giving us three weeks or so to work on it. To my dismay he pointed out how hastily my box had been constructed: there were uneven edges, blobs of glue showing, and the drawings were sloppy. Most importantly, he noted that I simply did not take the time for my ideas to solidify. My box met all the requirements for the assignment and it was “done,” but it was not the finished and thoughtful piece he was looking for.

Testing in the martial arts is like my art box. It is easy to get in a hurry, to check off the requirements in the book, to expect your next belt, and to inevitably feel crushing disappointment when told that you are not ready. Despite all the years of your training, despite doing Seisan kata or Aiki-Otoshi five million times, you may not be ready. It isn't that you are doing the techniques wrong, or that you didn't complete the requirements set out before you. Instead, it is because Sensei has the ability to see your potential, and that you have not quite gotten there yet.

Initially you may feel like ripping your box apart and throwing it in the trash. You may wonder why you even bothered working on it so hard only to be told it isn't good enough. You may look at the boxes around you and start comparing them to yours. You may even wonder if other teachers would better appreciate your box. But this will get you nowhere.

Trust in those who have walked this path before you, and most importantly, trust in yourself. Your journey in the martial arts is not about what you are, but instead it is about what you will become.  

Photo by: Graeme Weatherston