Excusitis

Watch out there’s a disease out there that you can catch from contact from friends, family, acquaintances and even yourself! Yes, mostly from yourself. But you don’t have to catch it if you don’t want to. That sounds crazy, I know but it’s true. Excusitis!
Teenagers catch it! It’s too cold to cut the grass, too wet, too dry, too hot, too early, too dark, going to rain, etc, etc, etc.
That’s not the destructive version, that’s actually the creative stage.
Childhood acquired excusitis is taught rather than caught. Yes taught. When a parent falls for a childs excuses for not doing something. When a parent lets a child do less than their best or not got to karate or dance or football or whatever because he has a headache, he/she is starting to get the disease. When that child suddenly gets better when it’s too late to take them to their activity, hmmm, they got you. Right, excusitis is taking a turn for the worst.
I’ve had a few parents that will actually catch the disease off of their child. i.e. I have to fight with little Billy to get him to come to karate! Could you turn off your TV or Game Boy or maybe even be the boss and tell them that they are going. I always felt that if you can’t tell a 5 yr old what to do then what will you do when they turn 15??? My grandson is 15 and 6’5″ and his dad will ground him or make him come to class or make him do whatever the job of the day is and he better listen. He’s still a teen and has always tried excusitis but his dad always says just do it. When my grandson would complain about those fastballs in little league possibly hitting him, my son would say don’t worry they only hurt for a little bit. My grandson actually started to hit the ball very well.
I’ve encountered many people that use their own versions of excusits in martial arts, softball and life in general. Why do I say softball? I still play and I an old ____, (insert you own descriptive adjective). Yes I play and not in an old guys league. We just finished the fall league in Connellsville and I played. I pitch of course and if I wanted to, I could find many reasons to retire but I love playing. There’s been times this year when a faster, younger runner was available for me, that other players would insist that I take a runner. I’ve had knee trouble on and off and will sometimes request a runner when I get on base so sometimes they send someone out automatically even when I feel like running. The thing is that I love the game and stay with it, even playing on 2 different teams in some yrs. This year I only played on 2. I’ve played on tremendous teams and played on lousy teams and show up all the time without an excuse if I can. If the team is lousy I make excuses to myself for not quitting, like I play on this team for practice. What’s the option? Doing nothing? I guess I plan to play a while longer, I just bought a new glove and a new bat this year. Another thing, I play ball on the same team with my son. I know of several men other that do that and I’m sure they still play for the same reason that I do. Neighbors who are 10 and 15 or more years younger than me, see me leaving in a softball uniform and I’m sure they think I’m crazy. Yeah, I guess I am!
When it comes to you. When you feel like quitting then find an excuse for not quitting. Find a reason. Remember why you started. When you started karate, what was the reason? Self Defense, fitness, fun, competing, “I always wanted to be a black belt”. Did you reach that goal? What is stopping you? I’ll bet it’s some strain of excusitis. I can’t, I’m bored, we work on the same stuff (hmmm, I thought that was basics), I haven’t learned anything new for a while (probably cause they haven’t been coming like a serious student)!
Yes, excusitis affects young and old alike. I’m sure people could say to me that I have it and point out examples. At times excusitis is how we deal with losing or simply not doing our best. If the other team wins it might be that they prepared better practiced more or just tried harder.
Let’s quit using excuses, just do it. I’m trying to find a cure. I’m trying hard to inoculate myself, but it’s a life long problem.
Keep trying don’t stop and don’t make excuses!!!
Written by:
Sensei Perry Culver 6th degree Shotokan Karate, 1st degree Syu Sin Do (pressure points & joint locks)
Chief Instructor of Culver Karate Club in Connellsville, PA 724-626-KICK (5425)