Many times in life we are required to just do hard things. In today’s society, doing hard things is becoming more increasingly unpopular. Instead of going outside to play, which burns calories and helps to maintain proper muscle tone, children stay inside to play video games. Instead of earning enough money to invest in a car of their own, teenagers beg for a brand new car. Instead of plodding through challenges in their marriage, adults often quit within the first five years of the relationship and start over with someone else.
In the ancient times of martial arts quitting was never an option. The samurai held true to their belief of “Go into battle as if you shall live and surely you shall die. Go into battle as if you will die and surely you shall have glory in your death.” Although this belief seems hard to swallow, it shows true commitment and perseverance no matter the cost.
Today, many people come to learn how to have that perseverance in life through martial arts training or “karate” (way of the empty hand). Every day a student continues to push forward in his or her training is a day that the student has persevered.
Wars are not won in a skirmish, but in a series of battles that decide the outcome. All we must do, as practitioners of this ancient art, is to follow through on our perseverance in every aspect of our lives.
Challenge yourself to live the life of “Tetsu Shin Ryu” during the month of May. Finish tasks that you start. Take that extra step of staying diligent in the job you have. Have a persistent attitude to serve your spouse before yourself. Believe in yourself to reach the next level in your martial arts training, whether that is Yellow Belt, 1st Degree Black Belt, or 4th Degree Black Belt. Do your best in every moment that God gives you and you surely will have
“The Way of the Iron Spirit” or “Tetsu Shin Ryu” forever in your heart, mind, and body.