A River Is Just A River!

[sensei8]

In StrangeBacon's signature, this quote can be found..."Does the river dwell on how long it will take to become the ocean..." - Sensei Bruce Payne

Profound words! A martial artist could learn a lot from what's being said by Sensei Bruce Payne.

No, the river doesn't dwell because it knows that when the time is right, it'll become the ocean. Meanwhile, the river is just a river, and it's in no rush. The river is quite content in being just a river.

For a martial artist shouldn't dwell on how long it will take to become a black belt. Just know that when the time is right, that will pass. Meanwhile, the martial artist is just a martial artist that's in no particular rush. The martial artist should be quite content in being a martial artist first and foremost.

Thoughts?

[CTTKDKing]

Just to expound on that profound statement, the student of a martial discipline is a lot like a river in other senses as well. A river moves at different rates throughout it's length. Some areas are calm and slow moving, some are faster and smooth, some are crashing through rough areas in the form of rapids.

When a new student first starts out they are like that fast moving smooth section. Steady moving at a quick rate to learn the basics. If they practice hard they might hit a revelational period where things start to click for them (rapids).

Every martial artist has hit or will hit a point where they don't feel like they feel like they have hit a plateau as well. You are moving but you don't think you are getting any farther. This is like the slow moving calm section of the river, and these are some of the most crucial times to keep plugging at what you do. You may not feel like you are getting anywhere but you are still moving forward on your journey. So many students use this as a time to think they've tapped out that system and quit to start up at a new school.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with cross training or moving from school to school if you want to but I have seen that the people that push past those slow progressing times end up being a far more skilled practitioner of their style bettering themselves as a whole.

Sorry to ramble on like that, but I found that statement to be inspirational and wanted to share a bit.

[sensei8]

Just to expound on that profound statement, the student of a martial discipline is a lot like a river in other senses as well. A river moves at different rates throughout it's length. Some areas are calm and slow moving, some are faster and smooth, some are crashing through rough areas in the form of rapids.

When a new student first starts out they are like that fast moving smooth section. Steady moving at a quick rate to learn the basics. If they practice hard they might hit a revelational period where things start to click for them (rapids).

Every martial artist has hit or will hit a point where they don't feel like they feel like they have hit a plateau as well. You are moving but you don't think you are getting any farther. This is like the slow moving calm section of the river, and these are some of the most crucial times to keep plugging at what you do. You may not feel like you are getting anywhere but you are still moving forward on your journey. So many students use this as a time to think they've tapped out that system and quit to start up at a new school.

I don't believe there is anything wrong with cross training or moving from school to school if you want to but I have seen that the people that push past those slow progressing times end up being a far more skilled practitioner of their style bettering themselves as a whole.

Sorry to ramble on like that, but I found that statement to be inspirational and wanted to share a bit.

Rambling? No, that was a very solid post! I sincerely thank you for it!

[CTTKDKing]

Well you are welcome.

[Jeffrey]

Well you are welcome.

Well said!

[senseikellam]

For a martial artist shouldn't dwell on how long it will take to become a black belt. Just know that when the time is right, that will pass. Meanwhile, the martial artist is just a martial artist that's in no particular rush. The martial artist should be quite content in being a martial artist first and foremost.

EXACTLY!

I think that the reason it bothered me when a former practitioner said I shouldn't be a 2nd Dan because I hadn't trained long enough was because I have never looked at karate that way. I never told the person my rank. She saw my 2nd Dan award photo in an affiliation news letter. The color of the belt isn't really that important to me. I did joke on another post that it was time to start working toward my 3rd. However, if it takes me the rest of my life, that is fine. If I never get it, that is fine. I just love karate and it is part of my daily life and if my affiliation chooses to reward me for doing what I love and am going to do anyway, well so be it. If they don't, that is fine also. I try to study by the saying,

Focus not on the color of the belt, but, the quality of what you know.

[StrangeBacon]

I feel honored that a discussion has been started from one of my Sensei's many quotes! Thank you Sensei8!

I personally agree very strongly with this, i've studied many styles before my current one, however i have attained a black belt in only one.

I have been asked many times if this bothers me or if it makes me feel less complete as a martial artist and everytime i answer no, the colour of my belt means little to me, it doesnt change the fact that i've had over half my life involved in the martial arts, and plan to attain my dan grades in this particular style having found it to suit me down to the ground, not only the style but the people involved in it.

Its a crying shame but theres alot of people out there that concentrate so much on the destination they miss the journey there, i mean one of the best things about going abroad on holiday is the flight on the plane, but maybe thats just me

Edited October 6, 2010 by StrangeBacon

[senseikellam]

I totally agree that the journey is the important part. I felt so strongly about it that when I designed the new logo at our dojo, I decided to place Japanese characters, or Kanji at the bottom center translated to mean "Journey". It is my hope that martial arts will become a lifelong journey which will change the lives of our students in a very positive way.

We all need to take the time to enjoy the journey, not just in the martial arts, but, in all of life!

[sensei8]

I totally agree that the journey is the important part. I felt so strongly about it that when I designed the new logo at our dojo, I decided to place Japanese characters, or Kanji at the bottom center translated to mean "Journey". It is my hope that martial arts will become a lifelong journey which will change the lives of our students in a very positive way.

We all need to take the time to enjoy the journey, not just in the martial arts, but, in all of life!

Solid post!!

[Jeffrey]

One thing that was missed in the topic is that a river meets other rivers on the way. Each one learns something from each stream or creek no matter how small or how big.

Add at Sensei8's request.