Forget Bruce Lee...be like IRON!

Karate, especially budo karate like Kyokushin, is not a team sport.  One student doesn't need another student in the way that the pitcher on a baseball team needs a catcher.  There are no quarterback/wide receiver relationships like we see in the Super Bowl.  

While different than the relationships we see on a sports team, we desperately need each other in the dojo! Sure, we need good partners to work with and good instructors to learn from.  We  need that one person in class who pushed us to strive for greatness...and that's where my encouragement is for today.  Be iron.  Be that person that others look to.  We should all strive to enter the dojo physically strong and mentally clear; ready to learn and expand our limits.  

Every now and then I've said in training that "when you cheat, you only cheat yourself."  After a lot of thought and reading, I've convinced myself otherwise.  When you cheat, when you cut corners or slack off when the instructor isn't looking, others around you will see.  Those that see, will either copy you or correct you...and woe to you should someone copy your bad example!  So, by cutting corners, you are negatively impacting those around you...who will negatively impact those around them, and so on.  Not only do we need each other; we need the best version!  Come into the dojo like iron.


Be iron.  Be ready to work hard.
Be iron,  Come in having worked hard outside of the dojo.
Be iron.  Look for ways to encourage others.
Be iron.  Take the fire of hard training without complaint.
Be iron.  Give it everything you've got.

Osu!
​Sensei Bob