Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. -Unknown We encounter frustrations and anger at circumstances every day. As martial artists, we dont just train to kick, punch, deflect and throw bodies around on mats. We train our minds, center ourselves, and do what we can to gain a perspective of situations and people that is very objective and not clouded by anger or judgment. For my students - most of you have become angry at one point or another during sparring. It happens. Typically because you are frustrated with yourself for not countering a strike, for leaving your guard down, for throwing a lazy kick and paying for it, etc. What happens when you get angry and spar? You reach. You become out of control. Your technique suffers. Your decisions are ALL emotion and ZERO practical thought. You may want to destroy your opponent but nothing works. They are in your head. Your frustration builds. You burn yourself with that hot coal! Be the martial artist. Re-direct that anger and frustration toward something more positive. Breathe. Relax. Understand that you are not always at your best and understand that if you grab that hot coal in frustration and anger that you will burn yourself, possibly burn others, and generally have an awful time having to pay for your loss of control. Keep this in mind when you feel that anger building. Dont focus it. Dont direct it. Let go of it and make the right decisions. You will keep friends, you will keep yourself centered, and you will realize that its always better to be level-headed than hot-headed.
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 14:53:39 +0000
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