Mu Ryuk Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 April 5th, 2004 to April 5th, 2005 may have been the fastest year of my life. One year ago tonight I returned to American Karate, and I haven't looked back since. It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.Now here I am, one year later, and I am (not meaning to sound arrogant) one of the best students at the school. There are very few people who beat me in sparring, far fewer who can beat me on the ground. I'm probably one of the top three forms competitors we have, and in the top ten sparring competitors. I've lost fifty pounds and gained a will to push myself more than I ever thought possible. I know the thrill of victory and the dull, aching burn of defeat. I know how to end a fight with grace, a bow, a brotherly embrace and a "good fight", regardless of whether I win or lose.I thank everyone here for the support given for my tests and tournaments, the advice given to my repetitive questions, and for simply putting up with my random, sometimes pointless posts. I thank you all, and stay tuned. Who knows what the next year will bring I leave you all with a great quote:"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."Theodore Roosevelt (26th U.S. president (1901-09), 1858-1919)Tang Soo! Passion transcends pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorinryu Sensei Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 April 5th, 2004 to April 5th, 2005 may have been the fastest year of my life. One year ago tonight I returned to American Karate, and I haven't looked back since. It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.Now here I am, one year later, and I am (not meaning to sound arrogant) one of the best students at the school. There are very few people who beat me in sparring, far fewer who can beat me on the ground. I'm probably one of the top three forms competitors we have, and in the top ten sparring competitors. I've lost fifty pounds and gained a will to push myself more than I ever thought possible. I know the thrill of victory and the dull, aching burn of defeat. I know how to end a fight with grace, a bow, a brotherly embrace and a "good fight", regardless of whether I win or lose.I thank everyone here for the support given for my tests and tournaments, the advice given to my repetitive questions, and for simply putting up with my random, sometimes pointless posts. I thank you all, and stay tuned. Who knows what the next year will bring I leave you all with a great quote:"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."Theodore Roosevelt (26th U.S. president (1901-09), 1858-1919)Tang Soo!Cool Mu Ryuk! Nice feeling, isn't it! My nightly prayer..."Please, just let me win that PowerBall Jackpot just once. I'll prove to you that it won't change me!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shorin Ryuu Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Stick with it, and those anniversaries will keep coming! Martial Arts Blog:http://bujutsublogger.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aefibird Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Great! Keep going! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathal Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 I know exactly how you feel. .The best victory is when the opponent surrendersof its own accord before there are any actualhostilities...It is best to win without fighting.- Sun-tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeygirl Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Congrats! Keep improving and encouraging others to follow in your steps! Now that you're "one of the best", that puts you in a great role model position to lead others to the kind of improvement you have made. May you continue far and beyond mastery! 1st dan & Asst. Instructor TKD 2000-2003No matter the tune...if you can rock it, rock it hard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slydermv Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.Man... I remember that feeling...And congrats... sounds like you have a really positive attitude.... keep it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittbullJudoka Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Congrats man I too am cooming upon my one year back in the practice of martial arts but unfortuniatly I won't be there because I'm off due to broken ribs.But I will return as soon as i heal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aefibird Posted April 6, 2005 Share Posted April 6, 2005 Get well soon pittbullJudoka! "Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My CologneSheffield Steelers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mu Ryuk Posted April 7, 2005 Author Share Posted April 7, 2005 Congrats man I too am cooming upon my one year back in the practice of martial arts but unfortuniatly I won't be there because I'm off due to broken ribs.But I will return as soon as i healSorry to hear that man, but still, congratulations on one year back. I'm sure you'll come back stronger than ever! Passion transcends pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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