TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS

TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS

Monday, July 14, 2025

CLEARING THE COBWEBS

 by Phillip Starr

Throughout my high school and college years (in fact, for most of my life), my father paid scant attention to my first love; martial arts. I think he was disappointed that his son had no interest in going out for traditional American sports. But it was when I started my first semester of college that he gave me a piece of invaluable advice, which also indicated that he'd been watching me practice from time to time over the years.

Dad had graduated from college with a straight 4.0 grade point average and had been named to the Order of the Coif – an award given only to the top 10% of a law school's graduating class. And he meant for me to keep high grades as well. I was buried nose-deep in one of my text books, trying to make sense of what I was reading. Dad strolled into the room and announced, “I want you to practice your martial arts for at least an hour every day.”

THAT got my attention! He'd never spoken of this subject before...what was going on? I told him that I figured he'd want me to spend my free time studying.

An hour's practice will sweep the cobwebs out of your mind”, he said. “It'll clear your head.”

I was only too happy to take his advice and, to my surprise, he was right! Coming back to my studies after an hour's training, I found that my mind was much sharper; it felt “refreshed.” Studies on the phenomenon would be conducted years later and their findings would validate what he told me.

So if you're in school, heed my father's advice. It works!






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