Focus On

Being Thankful

Just as one of the first expressions a child learns is, “thank you,” every martial artist should also have thankfulness as a primary feeling of their martial arts life.

Being thankful is when you have feelings of gratitude for your circumstances and other people. Take the time to pause and reflect, and you will find that you have many reasons to give thanks.

First, it should incredibly be easy to see reasons for being thankful to be part of the martial arts school where you train. In the old days, everyone didn’t have access to the experience of training and the deep philosophy that comes from the martial arts. You should have a feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to learn how to defend yourself and the life-preparedness that training in the martial gives you. In other words, be thankful for the code of ethics and the curriculum that you practice and learn from at your martial arts school.

Second, understand that if your teacher’s skill and vision never came to fruition, you would not be training at the school you’re thankful to be part of. Every student must be thankful for the high level of skill at which the teacher instructs and demonstrates martial arts techniques, because this is what initially made you decide to train with him or her. The character of your teacher is also a role model for you to copy and have gratitude for. The best way for you to show you thankfulness is by always being loyal to your martial arts teacher.

Third, your classmates are a very important element in your training at your martial arts school. Having a thankful heart towards classmates can begin with the start of class for a partner who helps you stretch and prepare for a class without injury. Be thankful for classmates who are used as the recipients of your self-defense techniques and a target when practicing basic striking. Give thanks for sparring partners who give you their best so you can become your best. Higher-ranked classmates should be thanked because, at times, they will actually help teach you the next level in your training.

As you can see, you have much to be thankful at your school. Discipline yourself to be more aware of the many aspects of your school that should be appreciated, and then be sure to express it by being thankful.