It is easy to become complacent in life. The daily grind becomes, well…a grind. You begin to believe that life is made up of commitments, chores, and responsibilities. These things seem to suck your energy and time into a warp, never to be recovered again.

It’s called life and adulthood, and it is filled with drama, extenuating circumstances, and obstacles. Just when everything seems to be falling into place, another catastrophe fills the void. You wonder why one day out of many can’t just be perfect. A little sun shining, friendly people, no hassles, and no troubles, would be lovely for a change.

I agree that life can get a little monotonous, but that is not life’s fault. It is yours. No one is responsible for your happiness, your management of time, or how you fill the hours, except you. We are all given the same amount of hours in a day. Why, then, do some people seem so productive, happy, and forward-moving, while others are dreary or negative? Part of the answer is that they have a mindset problem, and do not understand how to train the mind to see the glass half full, not half empty. The other, more significant and substantial problem, is that they have failed to identify their purpose.

Trust me, I’m not judging. If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought my purpose was, I’m not sure I would have any answer. I was caught in the web of thinking I was too busy to accomplish anything more, and too wrapped up in every day demands to ever step outside the boundaries, and push myself to excel. That is when I heard it. A very faint, but precise voice, call it a spirit or faith or anything you would like, but it clearly gave me direction. It said “Start.”

The “start” was referring to a blog I had been contemplating writing, but I had no technical experience on how to make a website. Using a YouTube video, I set up a simple website. I wrote posts about martial arts and life, and they were well-received. I never imagined that there would be more to it than that. I thought I had completed the action that the inner voice told me, to “start.” I didn’t consider why I heard it, or what it really meant.

It was purpose knocking at my door. The only reason I even heard it was that I was open to listening. That is the thing about purpose. You can easily deny it and keep it at a distance, because you know it will take some work and some effort. In many ways, it is easier to just follow the way of commitments, chores, and responsibilities, without adding more work into the mix. Once I heard the message, though, there was no turning back. I started my blog website, www.themartialartswoman.

The spirit, voice of reason, or whatever it was I heard, was much more powerful than I ever realized. As it indicated, it was time to start, to begin, but there would be so much more. Following a calling brings personal success, so this voice was a magnificently steady and slow step that would open up other doors. I had been holding out on myself, by not being confident enough to do that of which I knew I was capable.

My purpose not only rejuvenated my life, it rejuvenated my martial art practice and mindset. It was an opportunity to bring every passion together, as I should have done long ago. I had been teaching martial arts, and always practicing, but the picture started to become more clear. No longer was it about me, as much as it was about sharing what I learned about life through martial arts. I’ll be honest. Finding your purpose is not always comfortable or easy. As this settled into my mind, I saw my lack of confidence rear its ugly head. What could I possibly have to say that would help others, inspire, motivate, or enlighten? Purpose cares not about what you think, why you question, or what you want. It is just right.

In your martial art, you may also feel like you are working hard, but achieving little. The truth is that every moment is a learning moment. If you feel stuck in mastering a new skill or technique, just know that you will get it. You are there for a reason, and part of that is intertwined with your purpose and mission in life. Look at martial arts as a gift. Sure, you pay for classes, but if you have the right instructor, the right style, and a good learning environment, you are learning something very special – how to be a better version of you. You become  a stronger, braver, more confident you, and there is no price tag that you can place on that. Your purpose is developing.

I recall my first day as a white belt 27 years ago, and how unsure I was about myself in my first few classes. I looked around at the others and questioned if I could never be as good. What I learned from this very valuable lesson, so many years later, and what has prompted me to follow my purpose today, is that comparisons don’t matter. Everyone has different strengths and talents. Each practitioner applies the physical and mental components of martial arts differently. While there are very valuable competitions, events, and demonstrations, as well as important belt rankings, what really matters is how each person finds purpose in his practice.

That is why I began writing and motivating using martial arts as a basis. I realized that my talents and my abilities are unique. So are yours. Open your ears, and listen to that voice that dwells within. It will tell you exactly what you need to do. A seed will be planted somewhere, somehow, and it will grow into your purpose.  When you finally see it, that means that it has matured, and is ready to be developed.

While this story appears to be about how I followed my calling and my mission, it is really about you. I simply serve as an example of someone, who not long ago, was known by few, was not a published author, and who did nothing special to motivate or inspire others.

Your life, and your martial art, have a spirit of their own. Stop and listen for a moment. Do you hear it? Is there a voice that prompts you to do something, or tells you that there is so much more in store? Do you have a curiosity about what you should be doing with your life? Do you want to make a difference, or grow into the person you are meant to be? Your energy begs to be developed. Don’t look too far ahead, just think about today. What small changes can you make in order to advance, and become the person you’ve always wanted to be?

The only word you need to hear is the same word that quietly rushed into my mind a few years ago. Let me be the first to whisper it to you. “Start.” 

Andrea