Change and Contentment....

So, as I'm ageing my training focus is changing. I am, these days, focussing more on karate for my health as opposed to that of Budo. Whilst some of the more basic elements of Budo are present, like training with a sincere mind, and that of action far out weighs intention, for me at least the new focus is refreshing.

One of my two Tachi
Makiwara.....
Keeping me in check for nearly
Two decades.....
Even though this is number 9

Almost eight years in the Budo, certainly in its physical sense has taken it's toll.....but this said my impact training is still prevalent, and I guess it always will be.

 I was facing a Makiwara some ten years before any training in the Budo, and is something I hope I can continue into old age. My karate now fits in with my body, where as before I was trying to fit my body in to karate, which wasn't working terribly well.....

Stepping away from Karate for almost 10 months, or at the very least dumbing it down, gave me time to breathe, time to miss the thing I love doing and to come to an understanding of what was good for me and what wasn't......

I get that we all have to do things we don't necessarily like, and finish the task at hand, even when we have had enough, it's character building at the very least and defining at the most. To finish a thankless task with a smile on your face and a sense of achievement is a great feeling.

The following is a quotation from the late Bruce Lee....

Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is essentially your own.

The Havamal
Life lessons and how
to conduct yourself...

Whilst during my training  hiatus, I did lots of reading.
I read more of Budo, The Havamal (Norse Text) articles my Sensei had written and thought about things my upbringing as the Son of a Serviceman had taught me.


I realised I was no longer content, and I am a great believer in being content as opposed to being happy. Happiness is short lived, a snap shot, a moment within the moment. Out of contentment true happiness is borne.....a happiness that is not short lived.

I have seen the Toxic side of karate, the double standards of those I have had the misfortune to train with, and the subservient nature of Senior Karateka towards their Master....

My other Tachi Makiwara
Or wooden mirror
as I like to call it.
Contentment.....

.....I can't unsee what has been seen....

So do that which makes you content, not that which makes you happy. There is a difference......and it's a big one.....