LET GO OF COMPETITIVENESS

We should train in a spirit of cooperation, not competition. Each and every one of us is going to develop good, even great skills in here, and there will undoubtedly be people who are better in some areas than others. Those people who stand out are those we can learn from. We should welcome this, and support others to be their best. If they get better, we all get better. A spirit of mutual learning. We all improve and come to respect one another for our own unique talents.

It is too easy to fall into the fear and jealousy game, where we are afraid to be our best because someone else will take it away from us and be better than us or where we see another’s abilities that may surpass ours and feel jealous. Either way we feel bad about ourselves for whatever reason and try to boost ourselves up or bring others down or explain it away, like “s/he’s young, I’m old, stiff, etc.” We use our energy coming up with excuses instead of being inspired and putting that good energy into improving ourselves.

All I’m saying is just look where your thoughts and energy go, how much is used up by a competitive mentality and other negativity. Put it to good use instead. Your Kung Fu will improve, and so will everyone else’s. It’s how a class moves up. Join in and welcome it. Be helpful and supportive. We trust each other with our lives every time we throw a punch. It has to be supportive, or someone gets hurt (and you know these lessons…we don’t mess around). San Soo schools are often like a big family. We’re here to help and push each other to be our best.

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