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The Struggle Continues Life is a struggle. It is a test of wills and a way of learning about ourself. As martial warriors we fight our battles with morality, honor, discipline, perserverence and respect. This is my struggle. And it is yours too. I didn't have a dojo. We were few, but we were persistent. We practiced hard and long anywhere we could, with repetition as our teacher. We grew strong in body and mind. It was fun, this "test" we were undertaking, even though we didn't perceive it as such. We immersed ourselves in our art. Later, time drew us apart, but our dreams remained. I chose the path of a student, even when I could have been the teacher. I just wanted to learn. My best memories were of my Aikido training with a 92-year-old Shihan named Takaji Ishida. He showed me that True martial arts was for health. Even at his advanced age, he was strong. He showed me that age was irrelevant; that the mind ruled. In later years I took a major step and became a teacher. I formed a club whose aim was to spread martial knowledge thru its morality of a higher purpose. It was fun, and it was difficult. My Sifu was Life, and she teaching me the ultimate lesson. We are martial artists. We test the limits of our bodies, minds and spirits. We strive for perfection. But a test is only a test. Only in times when we are faced with true adversity can we see what we are made of. Only thru the Test of Life can we become enlightened to our Truth. This was my Test. I contracted Leukemia. This disease attacked my ability to make blood. It was a gradual descent into hell and I didn't realize it until it almost killed me. During that year, I lived in a fog of unreality. The disease had progressed to the point that I literally had no blood in me. My doctor was amazed that I was even conscious, let alone up and active. I also went thru some rough financial and personal crisis' as well. But I am not a quitter. I continued my classes. It was hard, but a little weakness wasn't going to stop me from my dreams. After all was said and done, I had won this contest. It was an unique experience that I would never wish on another person. Yet, I firmly believe that it was my martial training that saw me thru this most difficult period of my life. Have you ever been taught a lesson, but didn't fully understand it? Only thru living the lesson, did I understand it. Your martial training is like a saving account. Call it your Chi account. You can withdraw from that account when needed. For a year, I had been living on that account. All of my training, effort, discipline, and perseverance over the years had sustained me during a life-threatening event. For me, that is the essence of martial arts - the real meaning of Kung Fu. I've always tried to be a beginner; to view my art as a new student would. A good teacher must be able to see thru the eyes of his students. The Japanese call it "Manen Cho Ho" - Always A Beginner. I have reached my beginning and its time to start again. Should I walk a path I have already traveled? I don't know. I only know I enjoyed that path, and I hope this new journey is just as exhilarating. I am now truly a beginner. My teacher was Life, and she taught me a valuable lesson. Do you know what that lesson was? I do now. And now I am teaching it to you. Are you listening?
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