Category: Life

The Three Pillars

This is the basis of my martial arts journey, and, when my head is functioning properly, my life in general.

Martial arts is art, which is why it’s in the name. Art is communication, self-expression, and creativity. Over time, a life-long practitioner takes the fundamentals learned and their martial art becomes their own, based on both their personality and physical/emotional strengths and weaknesses. Running a kata or competing in a tournament is akin to the brush strokes of a painter finishing a portrait.

Martial arts is science, at least when one’s martial arts training is focused on practical, logical methods and techniques designed for efficiency. The human body only moves in certain ways. Understanding the biomechanics of the body and physics in general gives a practitioner a greater chance at success in self-defense or sport combat, as well as improve and maintain their health.

Martial arts is philosophy, and while personal views may differ, martial arts training that lacks a cognitive component lacks a reason behind the training. Martial arts functions with the paradox of learning violence to maintain peace, and, in my estimation, each practitioner needs to reconcile their training with their worldview. Martial arts has a deep history from which we can learn, and having a rational basis for why we train will help us become greater martial artists.

And as I said, this triad of art, science, and philosophy serves as the basis of my life in general, though I don’t always apply the principles consistently. 

Life should consist of creativity and expression. That’s one reason why I started learning how to create music. Life should be lived according to logic and reason. The better we are able to think and apply critical thinking, the greater our odds of living a quality life. And each of us has a worldview. Everyone is a philosopher. The only question is how good we are at doing philosophy. 

As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living for a human being.”

Taking the High Road

“Taking the high road” only elevates you high enough to get knocked down by those who don’t.

I’m tired of bad people knocking me down. Words have power, and now I’m using mine.

Words have more power than we realize. Every time we speak negatively about ourselves, we rob ourselves of our natural power. Our words can destroy, but they can also heal, build, rebuild, and sustain. Every time we encourage ourselves and those around us, we are bolstering the spirit with loving energy, which makes all of us stronger.

Continue reading “Taking the High Road”

Treating the Symptoms

My Facebook feed has been full of people condemning the riots but staying silent on the murderers and the systematic oppression that led to the riots.

“Why can’t they protest peacefully?”

Every attempt at peaceful protest has been met with criticism and scorn. And there has been no change to the system that allows for the murders to continue.

Of course riots aren’t good, but it’s important to try to see things through the eyes of the people who have been affected by the murders – murders which themselves are just one part of the larger problem black people face on a daily basis.

Everyone has a breaking point.

Given the context of the situation, when there’s a choice between condemning the rioters or condemning the murderers who have taken so many lives needlessly, the choice should always be to condemn the murderers. They are the real problem here.

Condemning the rioters rather than the murders is an attempt to treat the symptoms while ignoring the disease.