Words...

I had an interesting enlightenment tonight. I was asked about my ‘language’ that I use when I write, at times.. What is and what isn’t appropriate, and yea well it got me thinking.

I’ve always said that words hurt worse, and burn deeper than any punch, kick, or physical attack. The way someone structures language is as an art form as the way one paints, dances, and does martial arts. A swift tongue and condemn, bring enjoyment, be hurtful and delightful. Songs and clubs are made around words, as well as poems and court trails. The art in forging the correct words to deliver the right message is an ability, a skill, learned and developed – which can only happen over time.

On the mat I’m very careful in my choice of words. As my student mature and grow so does the way I speak and teach. Words used in a warrior class would not be appropriate in a black belt training. Words used to talk to a friend would not be appropriate when talking to a parent.

However, using harder words, to make a point, when one cannot see the facial expressions and body language is something in and of itself, and a true art form. I was shocked when I, as a young martial artist, saw and heard my instructors cuss, or use terms I’d never imagined they’d use off the mat. I was blown away when I heard Dr. Wayne Dyer cuss in a seminar.

I understand the words are the most powerful tool one can use, and one of the simplest forms as well. Which leads me to think, who are these blogs, these journals geared towards. Should we paint a mind’s picture with words through these blogs to develop a false sense of who we are or perhaps something to deliver a thought or feeling to the reader? I understand that the readers interpretation of the ‘words’ used could develop much different ideas in the different readers. A 15yr would read these words differently than a 50yr old.

No I would expect my team to know this about words, the most powerful tool we have. I understand that words can be used to paint a picture, and just like red, strong words pull the eye as well as the mind’s eye on the picture we are painting. As soft words like blue, develops the mood.

We must be careful with our words, but I don’t think I’ll not use a word in fear of the reader not having the maturity to understand the painting as a whole and not just the color on the canvas. No I’d hope that if a reader was young they would have navigated to our blogs with the watchful and helpful hand of a loving parent overseeing their journey. I’d hope an older reader would understand the full picture and know that many colors are needed to develop the right image. AS a Ki-yup release energy, as does strong language. It is the line between class with wisdom and adolescent mindsets with crude meaning that we draw and must be careful not to cross. Like knowing with to punch and kick – these powerful tools we are given and develop must also come with a strong scene, an understanding of the right and the wrong. That, I believe, is where our minds and hearts must guide us.

A martial art isn’t just a fighting machine that strikes out of anger or fear, but a machine that knows right from wrong, and when to push and when to pull. A mature mind.

Thanks team for using your words wisely, and thank you for painting your pictures. Our journals are an art form and one we leave an impression with. I do warn, mine might be graphic or harsh, but look at the picture, not simply just the color..

-Sbn