In a world of strife and turmoil, how can you keep a positive outlook and believe that there is still good?
Difficult times seem to surround you from every direction. I listen to the news sometimes and my heart drops and skips a beat. I wonder where we are headed. What direction is the world going? What direction should you follow? It is so difficult to understand and to decide.
The one certainty is that you can always change your direction toward hope and positivity. A change of direction starts with an intimate look within and a desire to improve your outlook and your impact on the world. You have that capability and that responsibility, if you truly want to make a difference.
As martial artists, the general public and outside world see us as differently than we see ourselves. They see kicks, punches, blocks, stances and powerful stares and assume that martial artists are fighters. A martial artist’s main approach, unless a fighter in the ring, is how not to fight. In practicing patterns or katas, the first movements are often defensive. This is a reminder that we must never make our first move an offensive one, but instead defend when necessary. The perception that we are aggressive is inaccurate because we strive to step back and disengage, if at all possible.
I’ve never been attacked or involved in a physical altercation. I’m not sure exactly what I would do, but I do know I am going to escape or run away if the opportunity arises. Fighting back, unless provoked and warranted, does not interest me; however, I will not hesitate to fight back if that is my only choice.
No. Martial artists are not fighters, they are warriors with indominable spirit and tenacious truths. They are a positive force in a negative world.
You rarely hear of anything wonderful or gracious that happens in the world these days. News and media focus on reporting what is negative. There is always war and strife, and experiences that you cannot control. What you can do is strive to take the high road, be the example, and not turn to negativity as a first response.
Take a brief moment to consider what is good right now. I think something will come to mind. Maybe it is your family, your neighbor, or a friend. Perhaps you are happy for someone who achieved, excelled, or conquered. Maybe someone smiled at you today or a stranger stopped to help. You read an inspiring word. Something exciting just happened in your life. You reached a goal. The sun came out.
None of this goodness stops what is unfair or unjust in life, but it does stop the culmination of your own negative perspective from overshadowing all else. Hope rises up like the crest of a wave to carry you through.
You cannot change the world or all the bad things that happen, but you can create the kind of change that means something to you and those around you.
You can change your heart.
xoxo
Andrea
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Pick up my motivational books and listen to my podcast here:
The Martial Arts Woman book: https://amzn.to/3inNiuQ
Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone: https://amzn.to/3irRjyy
How to Start Your Own Martial Art Program: https://amzn.to/3zf0aJB
The Martial Arts Woman Podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrea-harkins
