ASPIRATIONS

 by Phillip Starr

When we train and soak ourselves with sweat, breathe in gasps, and try to assuage our screaming muscles and joints, we often look to those who have gone before us for inspiration. And we needn't look very far; there are many, many fine examples. We aspire to be like them; to climb to the heights of martial prowess and knowledge.

At the same time, we often feel that we're being “unrealistic” when we tell ourselves that we can never be like them. Not really.

So I ask, “WHY NOT?” OF COURSE you can become a skilled as they were! Where is it written otherwise?

It's critical to the survival of the martial ways that the skill of the student(s) eventually equals or better yet, surpasses, that of the teacher(s). If this doesn't happen there is a slow decline in the quality of martial arts that can only end in their untimely demise. Yet, the vast majority of students don't believe that they can ever possibly rise to the skill level of their teachers, let alone surpass them!

But you should! You should aspire to go beyond what you perceive as your limits. Don't simply try to “be the best you can be”; you don't even know what that is!!! Just exactly what IS your best? You don't know. And it changes over time.

You can easily be better than what you think is your “best.” And you should aspire to do that. That means putting in the time and sweat to do it. What you THINK is your best will, if you allow it, become an obstacle. Don't place limits on yourself. You can do more than you THINK you can! You can climb higher than you think!