delta1 Posted September 2, 2004 Posted September 2, 2004 (edited) In the book 'Shadow Divers', by Robert Kurson, in chapter four he lists some of the truths that guide John Chatterton. Mr. Chatterton is a deep wreck diver, but it struck me how these truths were applicable to the martial arts. Here they are,as written in the book: -If an undertaking was easy, someone else already would have done it. -If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. -Excellance is born of preparation, dedication, focus, and tenacity: compromise on any of these and you become average. -Every so often, life presents a great moment of decission, an intersection at which a man must decide to stop or go; a person lives with these decissions forever. -Examine everything; not all is as it seems or as people tell you. -It is easiest to live with a decission if it is based on an earnest sense of right and wrong. -The guy who gets killed is often the guy who got nervouse. The guy who doesn't care any more, who has said "I'm already dead- the fact that I live or die is irrelevant and the only thing that matters is the accounting I give of myself," is the most formidable force in the world. -The worst posible decission is to give up. OK, I can hear some of you howling in protest at a couple of these. But take a moment, step outside the box and think about their applications to your art, and I think you'll see that they apply no matter what system you study, or your reasons for studying it. Discussion? Edited September 2, 2004 by delta1 Freedom isn't free!
delta1 Posted September 2, 2004 Author Posted September 2, 2004 These are the two that I expect to be objectionable to some:-If an undertaking was easy, someone else already would have done it. -If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. Of course, others have gone before us in both the martial arts and diving. And we first learn from our predecessors. But if you only go where they went, try to do what they have already done as they did it, then you will never reach your full potential. For that matter, you'll never reach their level either, and their art will deteriorate rather than grow. You do neither yourself or the masters any favors in this. Now, I'll never reach the level of understanding or application of Ed Parker, Remy Presas, or even some here on this board. But I can expand my own knowlege base, do the best I can, and even go places where they did not. In this small way I can add something to the arts as a whole. I can expand my own potential, as well as honor both my art(s) and those who went before me. That, I think, is what he is saying. Freedom isn't free!
delta1 Posted September 2, 2004 Author Posted September 2, 2004 (edited) Double post. I'll delete the second and say that I'm not a diver. I just admire the search for excellance in any undertaking and so enjoy the book. Edited September 2, 2004 by delta1 Freedom isn't free!
steveb Posted September 2, 2004 Posted September 2, 2004 I read this book a couple weeks ago and loved it! Unfortunately, as a diver, it just may have scared me out of the water for a bit. I also thought that the way he approached life was admirable and the success that he has had in the diving community is reflective of that. I dive for fun so I would never push myself that hard. For people with a true passion and drive for something, whether it is MA, career, family, etc the two best quotes are "Excellence is born of preparation, dedication, focus, and tenacity: compromise on any of these and you become average" and "The worst posible decission is to give up". I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes real stories of perseverance and discovery. Res firma, mitescere nescit
P.A.L Posted September 3, 2004 Posted September 3, 2004 "-If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. " does it mean I should create my own MA.
Kicks Posted September 3, 2004 Posted September 3, 2004 does it mean I should create my own MA. That's what my Master Instructor tells me every time I do my form (kata) wrong. when you create the world's largest trailer park, you're going to have tornadoes
47MartialMan Posted September 3, 2004 Posted September 3, 2004 does it mean I should create my own MA. That's what my Master Instructor tells me every time I do my form (kata) wrong. Somewhere one had to "follow footsteps", how else would you begin to learn anything?
delta1 Posted September 3, 2004 Author Posted September 3, 2004 "-If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. " does it mean I should create my own MA. No, just your own style- the way you understand and use your art. There is a difference. Freedom isn't free!
47MartialMan Posted September 3, 2004 Posted September 3, 2004 "-If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. " does it mean I should create my own MA. No, just your own style- the way you understand and use your art. There is a difference. Good point
Red J Posted September 3, 2004 Posted September 3, 2004 "-If you follow in anothers footsteps, you miss the problems really worth solving. " does it mean I should create my own MA. No, just your own style- the way you understand and use your art. There is a difference. That's the kenpo coming out in you. I had to lose my mind to come to my senses.
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