Way Of The Warrior - Part 1 Gather round and sit a spell. I have been asked to try and compile some thoughts on Fighting and Philosophy. Maybe in the future one or the other subjects will take precedence for a time but for now, as an introduction, I find it very hard to separate the two topics. In all combat oriented sports, or in the real thing, your beliefs, your attitude and the solidity of your convictions play a bigger part in the outcome of the contest than any other factor. Yes the hours of practice, your genetic disposition to such activities and your trainer can make big differences, but your mind is your ultimate tool. When you enter the ring, hit the mat, walk onto the list or are confronted in a parking lot; you can only hide behind you and the person(a) that you have developed. Several considerations will stand you in better stead for the coming test, or everyday actions. Know that you have a right to be there. Too many combatants are defeated because they do not realize that, by the very nature of the confrontation taking place, they are indeed a part of it and some cosmic act or judge or list official has deemed them worthy of this challenge. I have seen too many people simply watch a bout, even as a contestant, because they knew they could never beat so and so. Or they were busy being dumbfounded that they had made it this far. The same is true of everyday challenges, If you're in the middle of it, then that is where fate has determined you should be. It doesn't matter how many other people are there--the challenge is with you and if you stand your ground the consequences will work themselves out. Others may surge ahead or fall, but the trial is not over until the goal is achieved or you go down. Even melees are all about a great number of single fighters doing their best. This may include helping your mates and it might include using their positions to your advantage but in the end you and your team can not lose as long as you are still going. That is pretty much true of life's challenges as well. You are a part of the world and have as much right to impact the situation as everyone else. Luckily many will forgo their right or wait too late to make a choice; this is your advantage because you know you are part of whatever is happening and you deserve to be wherever you are. Second, be responsible for your blows. Many people spend a great deal of time explaining why things do not work. What went wrong. Or why someone else was to blame for a personal failure. The truth in all failures and set-backs is that you did not do what it took. The foe did not take your blow because you did not deliver it in a way that they had no choice. The judge did not see your score because it was not obvious to all. The relationship ended because you could no longer abide the actions of your mate. All these things might be the result of your own lack of knowledge, ability, strength, or experience. But it all boils down to you lost because of your own points that need more work or determination. The other side of this coin is that when you win and when things are working it is because you are doing it right. Take credit, enjoy it and work to get better before it becomes more challenging. That is what happens in life and tournaments. The more you win, the tougher the competition gets. By the same token, if you would take credit for the good, you have no where to lay blame but on your own plate. There is not a better incentive to perform. In life or in combat. The other component of this is to be judgmental. I know many popular philosophies say that you should not judge others. Well circumstance or kharma have put them in contest with you. Just as you have the right to be in the contest, you have the obligation to judge them and act appropriately. You can judge their strengths and compare them to your own. You can assess their weaknesses and compare them to yourself. Have ya noticed a pattern here? Since the only person you can ever really know or control is yourself, the only standard you can judge anyone by is yourself. Its easier on the ego if you maintain a healthy self image, as long as it is deserved. Once you have sized up the opposition, be decisive. Do not hem or haw, make a choice based on the best information you have at the time and act. Society has trained many of us to wait and see, to always be as sure as possible before acting. Society trains us to not stand out from the crowd or to act first. Realize that nature often plays just the opposite game among combatants. Even if you decide to wait until they move to find an opening, make sure it is a decision you make and not just all that is left to you. Act, take responsibility for your actions based on what you know at the time and be it glory or goat stand up for what you did, because you decided and did it. 
 
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