Patience

The old adage "Patience is a virtue," or the lack of it , is very prevalent In the Martial Arts. I see impatience on a regular basis. Students not happy with their progress. Ie: I should understand that by now, I should be looking more smooth with that combination , my instructor has explained and demonstrated that many times,why does this take me so long? How long does this take? IT TAKES AS LONG AS IT TAKES!! Have  PATIENCE with yourself. Allow yourself  the time to grow and develop and experience. This is not a race, if anything it's an ultra marathon, a life time pursuit of PERSONAL excellence . You will stumble and make errors, that's all right, that's part of the natural growth process. If you expect nothing, you get nothing, on the other hand when you are IMPATIENT you force yourself to try harder instead of allowing yourself to learn at your own pace. When your'e impatient and force yourself to try harder, this causes frustration, a disgruntled attitude,and puts a mental road block to your ability to be able to absorb any more information. Get rid of your ideas of what you think you need that class, or hoping we'll work on  such and such a thing today. It is my opinion that at some point you must give your mind body and spirit over to your instructor. If you are truly open to receive,the benefits will be great!! Be happy you are able to be in class today. Master West ( a very wise man) says all you have to do is get to the next class, your instructors know what you need. With your open mind and your instructors guidance you have A very good chance of reaching your goal. As I mentioned in my last blog, SLOW DOWN, DON'T RUSH, ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!!  All of my instructors  CAME TO THE NEXT CLASS,that is a huge part of why after 40,50, and 60 years they are still training, teaching and learning . They all understand the importance of always being a student first and a instructor second. Embrace this gift you have received, cultivate and nurture it. When you start to feel overwhelmed and  impatient, breath deeply many times, except and own the feelings
fully, only then will you be able to let them go. Understand feeling are neither good or bad, they just are. How you handle those feelings is what determines whether the out come is positive or negative . You do have a CHOICE.  CHOOSE WISELY!!  Tomorrow is a new day. The CHOICE is yours!!!!!


                        Train hard, train often, breath deeply.           PILSUNG