| Everyday, hundreds and perhaps thousands of men | | | | study and practice of the martial arts for |
| and women think about taking martial arts lessons. I | | | | self-defense and every other reason listed here for |
| know because I hear from them constantly, either | | | | over two-thirds of my life, I'd like to quite possibly be |
| by way of email, phone, or in letters mailed to the | | | | the first to say that... |
| academy. | | | | You don't need any skills and abilities, life or other |
| The vast majority are, more-often-than not, trapped | | | | BEFORE beginning your training. You don't need to be |
| in this "thinking about it" stage and will never take | | | | in any sort of "perfect shape" or have rock-solid |
| that next, most important step to making it happen. | | | | discipline, commitment, or focus, either. That would |
| And, it's sad really. | | | | be like putting the cart before the horse for these |
| While the reasons vary as to why each person | | | | are the things that you will be learning... |
| wants to involve themselves in the martial arts... | | | | ...as a part of your martial arts study! |
| 1. Self-defense... | | | | No. The only thing that you need to match, what |
| 2. Life skills... | | | | apparently is a heartfelt desire to begin your martial |
| 3. An affinity for the East or the concept of | | | | arts training, is a willingness to take that first step. |
| Warriorship, and... | | | | And, where else, but as a "beginner" would you |
| 4. Many more too numerous to list here | | | | start? We were all beginners once and I think the |
| ...the point is that each sees what he or she needs to | | | | best of us stay that way, in heart, mind, and spirit - |
| feel more confident, powerful, or in-control of his or | | | | forever. |
| her life through the study and practice of the martial | | | | I do know this, however. If you wait for the "right |
| arts. | | | | time." If you wait to be properly "motivated," or for |
| Why then, are these well-meaning individuals stuck in, | | | | your schedule to "free up," or to have more money... |
| what Dr. Seuss called, "The Waiting Place?" | | | | If you... (fill in the blank for you)... |
| Perhaps one of the reasons is that each believes that | | | | ... It will quite-likely never happen for you and you will |
| he or she must have certain skills or abilities before | | | | live out one of the fears that keeps me and many |
| they can begin. | | | | other successful people moving... |
| Perhaps they believe that their situation, with work | | | | ... the fear that, on my death-bed, I will regret NOT |
| schedules, a limited budget, or their physical fitness | | | | following my dreams - not living the life I always |
| and level of health, is unique to themselves. | | | | wanted. |
| Maybe they believe that they should already possess | | | | You see, where most people are stopped by the |
| certain life-skills like discipline, focus, and anything else | | | | fear of failure, the fear of fear, all the "things" that |
| besides their apparent heart-felt desire to begin. | | | | become the "reason" for NOT doing... |
| And maybe, just maybe, they're afraid that others | | | | I am driven by the knowledge that I will forever |
| with more experience in the academy will make fun | | | | regret NOT taking action. |
| of them, or look down on them in some way | | | | So... It's time to decide. |
| because they're a beginner and don't know very | | | | Take action, or... |
| much. | | | | ...live with yourself for not doing so. |
| As a senior practitioner who has been involved in the | | | | The choice is yours. |