Beating the Black Dog

 Despite another shoulder injury, this time my left supraspinatus becoming detached just like the right one did years ago, Ive still been training. Nothing to heavy obviously, just simply trying to keep a range of motion that lets me continue to work and provide a living for me and my family. Pain... Yes, giving in ....No 

Rehabilitation of such injuries is hard, with the mental health aspect of recovery probably being the biggest challenge. Accepting that you can't do what you want to or what you once did, being the major source of a downward spiral in mental health. I can't even begin to imagine what service men and women go through with such horrific injuries that they may return home with after putting themselves on the line that we me live in a relatively peaceful society. 

Unless you have hit " rock bottom " and faced the black dog you won't really understand what it's like and the struggle involved in recovery. 

Yes I have, it's bloody hard. 

A friend of mine, a Karate-ka ( person whom studies Karate-do ) is in a pretty rough physical place at the moment which is also impacting on his mental well being. He continues to train despite his injuries, albeit at a toned down level, or is it. 

My last Sensei once said that training at 100% is different for everyone, but as long as you're not slacking off, and giving it 'your' 100% then that is all that can be asked. This in my mind especially includes injury. Infact it probably takes more character to train when being injured than when we are not. 

I generally find that Karate-ka are not very subservient people. The mind set is different. They make good leaders and make and stand by their decisions and moreover own their mistakes. Karate-do breeds tenacity and mental strength, the shear ability to move forward when faced with unpleasantness. Sure there are times when you don't feel like it, can't be arsed or make a feeble attempt at excuses, but the bottom line is you're a Karate-ka and will always be one and, that is enough to move forward one small step at a time, one more kick, punch or Kata to get yourself to a better place, physically and mentally; Beating the Black Dog.