Dear Martial Arts

 

i trained and trained, until such a time where my training required me to spar with fellow students. i felt the pain of your prowess as i absorbed punches and kicks to different parts of my body, the same way i saw the effects of my punches and kicks to others. you told me "this is not what a fight is," and i listened.

 

you told me a real fight is not and will not be controlled, and that punches and kicks are the least of my problems. "a real fight is unpredictable, you will be fighting with someone whose goal is to put you down by any means necessary." ... you told me to "respect combat, and only fight when you cannot run." i was confused. i do not know why i learned and trained under your prowess when i cannot use it.

 

but i trusted you, and i kept on training.

 

finally one day, i understood ... the pain you made me go through, the restraint you imposed on me; they were all things i hated and did not want. you made me fight myself, made me face my fears and made me suffer just so i can reach my goal. you made me do the impossible, and i came out of it. i finally understood.

 

dear martial arts, you taught me how to fight... you started by teaching me the weapons within my body, then you showed me what those weapons can do, and finally, you taught me that those weapons are weak, because the strongest weapon i have is me. my mind, my principles and the actions that define me.

 

martial arts, i came to you to learn how to fight, to defend myself from the people who hurt me - and you did. it's just that i never needed to fight them at all. my fight is out there, bigger, tougher, stronger. my enemy can take many forms - a shadow, a beast, a concept, an emotion, a situation. i am no longer afraid. i have found the reason why i fight.

 

i fight for you.