So this week I went to Master Dave's class and two of Kjn Tom's classes while we were lucky enough to have them in town. Funny thing was, that with all of the valuable things they taught us IN class, I learned the most from what they told me after class.
The biggest hurdle I've had during all of my training is the fact that I am easily twice as old, or even 4 times as old as some of the individuals on my black belt candidate team. How do I deal with not being stronger and faster than them? Master Dave told me I'd be crazy to try to keep up with the 'young bucks'. I thought I was going to end up as frustrated as always with the inevitable conclusion that I'm just older, that's the way it is, accept it and never be better than them. But the longer Master Dave, Kjn Tom and I talked, I understood what they were saying.
As you get older, your body just can't do what it used to, or at least not as fast, as the younger people around you. So, you have to fight smarter. Continue learning new techniques, practice those you already know to ingrain them into your memory, don't underestimate your opponent, but most of all, don't underestimate yourself.
I've discovered that I'm not old. I'm just now learning what we're all capable over time. And we can do so much more than we give ourselves credit for. Time is the gift we are given to learn it all. Or at least as much as possible. ;)
i'm so glad you talked to them about that! i know it's an issue that's been bothering you, but what they said was right. sometimes it takes an outside perspective to show us what we need to see and do.
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