On My Self-Defense Blog, author John Zimmer poses the question Ethical Dilemmas; In Defense of Others?, in which he discusses whether or not we have an obligation to aid someone else in need. Are we, simply by being in a position we can help, required to do so? I would love to hear your thoughts [...]
Continue reading about Do We Have an Obligation to Give Back?
Note — this is an updated version of one of my earliest posts: Balance. I wasn’t really happy with the way that post came out and I’ve learned so much about blogging in the last six months, I thought I’d take another crack at it.
What is balance?
The dictionary defines ‘balance’ as:
bal.ance n. 1. a weighing [...]
con.cen.tra.tion n. exclusive attention to one object; close mental application.
– Dictionary.com
I don’t think there’s anyone who would argue that martial arts doesn’t take concentration. Forms, in particular, take concentration — to execute a form successfully, you need to focus on your movement, focus on your intent. When the masters my school speak of concentration, they’re [...]
Urban Samurai posted the question “Black Belt Responsibilities: Are There Any?“. His article is thought-provoking and all of the comments are worth reading as well. I’m not a black belt. Right now, my black belt seems a distant goal on a far horizon. But his article got me thinking: why do I want to be [...]
My dojang promotes what they call “Black Belt Skills”: once a week, they choose a word or short term that reflects an ideal black belt behavior. I’ve decide to take this term and discuss what what it means to me as a martial artist and as a woman. (I’m actually running a week behind because [...]
in.dom.i.ta.ble adj: having an unyielding spirit, stubbornly persistent when faced with difficulty or opposition.
– Oxford American Dictionary
Many female martial artists show indomitable spirit just by walking in the door of their school for the first time. It can be daunting to face the reactions of friends and family who start firing questions at us as [...]
self-con.trol n: control over one’s own impulses, emotions, or actions.
–Webster’s Dictionary
Okay, I admit it. Self-control is one of the main reasons I enrolled Dynamo in taekwondo. He’s struggled with self-control … well, basically since he’s been born. He tends to lash out in anger over the smallest things. I’ve talked to several men who’ve gone [...]
per.se.ver.ance n: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
– Dictionary.com
Training for any martial art requires perseverance. There’s usually a rush of enthusiasm at the beginning: it’s all exciting and new. Your body can do things you never knew it could. When Dynamo [...]
in.teg.ri.ty n 1. honesty, incorruptibility. 2. wholeness, entirety.
–Oxford American Dictionary
Every martial art I’ve encountered promotes integrity. Honesty is one of the main cornerstones of the martial arts. While I don’t know any adult who entered the martial arts to learn or improve their integrity, many of us — including me — have enrolled our kids, [...]
cour.te.sy n: the quality or state of being courteous.
cour.te.ous adj: showing respect and consideration for others.
–Webster’s Dictionary
Every taekwondo book I’ve ever read has a section devoted to the five tenets of taekwondo. In them, courtesy is usually described in terms of respect for instructors and those of senior rank, as well as the rituals [...]
