I wrote about this topic already, but the word dedication occurred to me. I really didn’t feel that I was anyone special while I was training up through the colored belts. I didn’t think I was anyone special while I was going to tournaments. And I really didn’t think I was anyone special when I was asked by my instructor to take over the school when he left the area. I still needed to do more. I didn’t think that I was anyone special and continued training with whoever I could find to fill in the blanks. I really didn’t feel as if I was anyone special, I just showed up. I didn’t quit. I just came week in and week out. My instructor new to ask me to take over the school because I would keep learning and filling in the blanks. I took over the school at the rank of 2nd dan and 7 years of training. I once heard a yellow belt say, I figure I’ve learned everything. He was just making an excuse to quit. I’ve never thought I’ve learned enough.
I’ve recently decided to learn all 27 shotokan katas. I don’t know anyone that has done that. I spent an afternoon learning 3. I realized I could do it. Why not? A lot of the katas, I had learned and then forgot them so it was not difficult to relearn them. I learned them in a little over a month. I decided to do all of them back to back at one time. I did better than that. I did all 27 and did 10 pushups in between each one and after finishing I waited a few minutes and then did 80 pushups. Not bad for an old retired guy! Enough? NOPE! A week later I again did all 27 katas and did 12 pushups in between and the waited a few minutes and maxed out with 81 pushups. You’re probably wondering why pushups. That’s another story for another day.
My point is that I didn’t feel special at any step of my journey but instead I’ve always felt there was more. I always searched, trained and showed up for class. The important thing that I’m trying to point our is when you find that thing you love, become it, be there and just show up. I’ve been a freind to every instructor I’ve ever trained with. I’ve always loved karate and continue to show up.
My worst frustrations lately have been people without any desire. Problem is they show up. They are wasting there time and mine. At least show some life between there ears. Show some glimerence of understanding. Don’t just show up guys, please open your brain. I could insult those few as much as I want on this page and they’ll never now because they’ll never waste their time reading this.
All in all, if you just show up, not just physically but more important, mentally, you will get better. One of my students years ago had done what I always told people with injuries to do. He broke his hand. He came to class with a cast on. He a year later was sparring with his son and got cracked ribs. He came to class. He was in his 40s. He didn’t quit, he came and did what he could and didn’t take much time off. He’s still training and he’s now mid sixties. He’s a dynamic individual. He’s always running, helping people and watching his grand kids. Recently his son was having a house build and they were doing part of the work themselves. He was there with his son working and painting and making sure they stayed on schedule.
It’s not about being the best. It’s about being the best that you can be but if you don’t even show up you’ll never scratch that surface. Show up, you’re not special, but if you show up you can be pretty good! So back to my thoughts on dedication, it’s all about showing up!
Shihan Culver
