Another year has begun and you may have reflected on last year’s achievements, and, rightfully you can be proud of yourself. However, time never stands still, and in order to prevent stagnation we must move on and build on our previous successes. Remember, success, and martial arts itself is a never ending journey that flows like water flows down a river, around all rocks and obstacles, not stopping anywhere, and eventually it flows into the vastness of the eternal sea.
Imagine the water symbolises your skills and knowledge. It starts as a trickle in a mountain stream, then, as more streams flow into it (you acquire more knowledge and experience), it grows in size and volume, turns into a river, then a raging current (your skill level is high but your mind still unsettled). Finally, when it flows into the sea (the higher stages of the martial arts), you will find peace, contentment and wisdom this leads to enlightenment. Should, for some reason the river get blocked, it will halt its flow, burst its banks and cause damage until the blockage is cleared. The same happens to you when you fail to attend a training session, blocking and doing damage to your progress on your road of success. Hence, for your own good, make a commitment to yourself, not to make excuses (they are worthless), to put taekwondo first on your list of priorities, to come for training continuously, and ‘flow like water’.
Let the ‘flowing water mindset’ accompany us in all our studies and endeavours.