Overcoming Obstacles: Embracing Challenges for Personal Growth

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There is nothing better than getting outside and enjoying mother nature after a long week of working at a desk or staring at cubicle walls. My wife Sonja and I love the great outdoors and try to find escapes as often as possible to get away and do something outside away from the confinement of the four walls that surround us. 

Back in 2014, we took up paddling. I say that very gently because we were persuaded to do the Texas Water Safari, a 260-mile, ultra-marathon canoe race, also known as the “World’s Toughest Canoe Race.” In our first year, we were unsuccessful at finishing the race. The following year we came back with a strong focus on getting better and aimed to complete the race. Within a few years, we moved up in the pack of racers gaining five finishes for myself and six for Sonja. 

This year, I am excited to get back in a boat after two years and complete the race for my first solo finish. Different types of boats, paddles, teammates, and mother nature are all variables you face when training. In my case, I fell out almost immediately after getting into my solo boat for the first time. What a way to start the training camp for this year. What do you do when you fall? You get up and try again, or as the Japanese Maxim says, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” I got in the boat and stayed upright for the next 12 miles. I’ll take that success any day of the week. 

The following week, I doubled my mileage and picked an easy route to practice on. I had a couple of close calls but made it the entire 25 miles dry and upright. That was at least until the end when I went to get out of the boat. Yeah, you guessed it, SPLASH! So now, I have a 0-2 record for staying dry and upright in the boat. It's not looking too good and I should probably give up on this idea for the year and maybe try next year, right? 

These are breaking points every day for many of us. We often pump the brakes before jumping into new activities because of fear. Fear, with its strong arms, likes to hold us back. We are afraid we will not be good at something. We fear what others will think about us. We fear injury, and most importantly, we fear the unknown. Fear is not something we should eliminate. Fear is not a weakness but the strength and fuel we need to conquer any mountain that gets in our way. There is a good chance we will not be great at something new when we start, but that shouldn't keep us from starting. All we have to do is accept that we might not be great or successful (at first) and continue trying until we are where we want to be. 

Martial arts training is no different. Very few people are any good when they first walk into a school. Many think they can or should prepare before trying it, but there is no way to grow or get better at any activity other than doing it. The first step is to put yourself in the boat. It is walking into the martial arts school and putting your goals in the hands of someone to help you reach your potential. Then, embrace the process and don’t give up. 

During the process, remember the Rule of Three. The first time you try something new, give yourself three chances to learn and get the hang of it. On your first time, try to get a feel for what you are doing. The second time, you start to recall things you did during your first experience. On the third session, you will remember more of your first two lessons and even improve on what you have started to learn. 

Lastly, remember to be patient with yourself. Recently, I went for my third time and paddled a much more technical section of the river. I made it through some narrow turns while staying in the boat. We can accomplish anything if we give ourselves time to learn, develop, and grow. Be patient, and you will be amazed at what you can do. 

In the meantime, if you need help in your journey toward better fitness, health, stress relief, confidence, discipline, or self-defense; reach out and try our Introductory Program for children or adults.

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Guro Larry, Sonja, Lauren & Tori St. Clair
Martial Way Legacy
"A Compass to the Preservation of Bruce Lee’s Philosophy and Legacy"
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