The title of this essay can be answered in so many ways therefore I will divide it into several different aspects.

I will begin with DISCIPLINE. Something that is greatly missing in today’s society and the results of this are displayed throughout humanity. Quite often the easy choice is taken by individuals as the alternative presents too many challenges. This is life in general for many people and they are happy just to plod along from day to day. For me, challenge is just another step on my journey through life. Karate and life are similar in the way that the Karateka must have the discipline to constantly practice their obtained skills, not only to perfect them, but also to improve and share them with others. The relationship to my life is that the discipline required in Tai Shi Kai carries into both my personal and professional areas. Can you imagine if some of the greatest people in history didn’t have the discipline to follow through in their chosen field of expertise, where would we be now?

HUMILITY AND UNDERSTANDING are things that are of great importance to me, which has been greatly enhanced by my life in Karate. To be able to understand not only your but others ability to travel life’s path is certainly high in my beliefs. Whether it’s how quickly they pick up new skills or how difficult some tasks are for them, we must be humble that we have been given the opportunity to help. In turn, we must be humble to receive in the same way. There are so many new things to experience through the gift of education and humility. I believe that we learn until the day we die and therefore we must be open to this wonderful process and not think we know it all.

FRIENDSHIP is something that many take for granted and it should be valued with the greatest priority. We all have many acquaintances that we catch up with on occasion but how many true friends do you have? I consider myself very lucky to think of the people at Tai Shi Kai as true friends. True friends can be relied upon during the good times and the bad times. We don’t need to live in each other’s pocket, but we know they are there for us and in return we are there for them. Recently I experienced the value of true friendship with the passing of someone very close and dear to me. The support and care shown by all has made my dealing with this situation much easier than if this was not present and I only hope that whenever I’m needed, I can reciprocate in kind.

STAMINA AND FITNESS become crucial as one gets older. Karate training is a great promoter of these two attributes. Bone density and strength are increased by physical activity and so is general fitness. Continual attendance for me is paramount in maintaining good levels of stamina and fitness. Recently I have noticed reduced soreness in both my knees which can only be a result of the regular training. Sure there are some nights when you wish you were home but by the end of class you are so pleased that you attended. I think all students have one of those nights. Interlinked with training is the encouragement one receives and gives their fellow students.

VALUES can be another thing lacking in many, but not so at Tai Shi Kai. A big area for me is Dojo etiquette and the respect to this must be adhered to. This also has filtered into all other areas of my life. You must value and respect yourself as well as others. This assists in having placed all negative thoughts behind and maintaining a bright outlook. My favourite saying is “I used to complain about having no shoes until I saw someone without any feet”. The reason this has always stayed in my mind is that it is so easy to be negative and get bogged down when we should be content with what we have and realise there is always someone worse off than us. Many mornings at work when I ask how people are, I sometimes get a negative response to which I reply “at least you’re breathing”. Life is something we all should cherish and not get caught in the cycle of doom and gloom.

SHIATSU MASSAGE was one of the most beneficial things I have learnt through karate training and with it I have been able to help many family and friends with their problems. I have a friend who has a regular session every Tuesday night. When he first came he could hardly rotate his head due to tight muscles and now he has full rotation. His wife has had the occasional treatment and so have many family members. I am truly appreciative at being able to help and can only thank Tai Shi Kai for being able to obtain skills which heal others. I really look forward to our training sessions at the end of the year when we practice it on each other as it is the only time I get the favour returned.

RESULTS some may think that this means having a nice car or a holiday house, but for me it is the kind of person you become and the person you aspire to be. For me they are the same, as I want to be someone who has all the properties that I have outlined above with no compromise. Tai Shi Kai training is so important in my life because it aids in achieving all of the attributes I have mentioned and therefore it will hopefully make me the person I aspire to and have become. This can only benefit me and all who cross my path during my life’s mortal journey on this planet. I wish that you all can have the same facets in your life and make this planet a more harmonious place for us to live.

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