When times are tough

To be truthful there are times as I am training that I wonder if I going to be able to continue. For example, tonight both of my wrist hurt, my forearms are bruised, my knees are bruised, my shin and foot is badly bruised, my shoulders hurt etc, etc, etc. I'm wondering if I'm crazy doing this at my age. Is it worth it? Why am I doing this?

This is when I have to sit back and reevaluate my goals. What have I accomplished so far? What do I plan to accomplish? Just where am I going with all of this?

Hmmm, interesting questions. First, let's look at where I've been. Prior to taking martial arts I had never done any sport at all. I never played any ball sport, took gymnastics classes, track or even swimming. I didn't learn to swim until I was 13 and then it was only enough to get from one side of the pool to the other. I was never athletic in any way. The only cool thing I did as a kid was ride a dirt bike.

Now, at the age of 44, I can throw a pretty mean hook punch and roundhouse kick. Grab me unexpectedly and I'm apt to throw you with a hip or leg throw. I think that is pretty cool. If you had told me years ago that I would be practicing a spinning kick I would have asked you, "what is that?". I can also break three boards with a reverse punch. That was amazing! You can see this on youtube at our Tao Hsieh Wu Shu youtube channel.

I also have a great time training with my kids, watching martial art movies with them and dissecting all the fabulous moves. I have also made many wonderful new friends that are now a part of my family.

That leaves me with with, "What do I plan to accomplish"? Hmmm, right now, just to make it through my next belt test. One day, to earn my black belt. Beyond that, who knows. Martial arts is a life long process of learning. Who knows where I'll be in my 50's. I hope to one day be able to teach self-defense to other ladies to help them gain some of the confidence that I have. That would be really cool.

So tonight, I'll put on the ice pack and grin about my martial arts badges of honor, my bruises!


Lisa
mmamom