Blog
CB Radio of the 21st Century
The net is like CB radio – time waster. Back in the early ‘70’s I used to enjoy talking on CB radio (Citizen’s Band). It was very popular in those days, speaking to strangers and making friends over the airways. Many hours were spent talking about nothing and making up garbage. I would stay up till 4 in the morning talking to anybody who I can find also staying up late. My friends and I look back now and we think it was a waste of time ie no value and no productivity. I think the mobile phone killed it.
I see Facebook and Forums much the same way. Whilst most people are enjoying them right now, 
they will probably look back later and share the same opinion of what I think about CB radios back then ie zero value and zero productivity. I say don’t waste your time. There are 24 hours in the day. Eight hours are for sleeping and the remaining 16 hours can be divided for grooming, work, eating, phone conversations, computer work, coffee, television etc. Why waste those valuable hours on Facebook and Forums for something with no return. Don't get me wrong, CB was great for travelling for information and in case of emergency (we didn't have mobile phones back then). Facebook and Forums can also be good when used correctly but people do get carried away (I was guilty with CB radio). This is not healthy.
If you are serious about martial arts you would need to give serious thought about time wasters. Some of the greatest martial artists on earth never had to worry about CB radio, Facebook or Forums because they didn’t exist. We wouldn’t have the likes of Chuck Norris, Richard Norton and John Will around if they spent their time on CB radio.
Technology is here to make our life easier and more advanced but not to eat away the precious hours you have left in the day. In the case of martial arts, make the most of your time and use it productively by trying to learn as much as you can and be the best you can be.
GA
Obsession or Dedication
There are two things that can happen with people in the martial arts. Obsession can consist of over zealously, or mania, leading to a lack of efficiency and effectiveness. The other word, dedication, is more about willing and wanting to learn to get the best out of what they chose to do. Obsession can lead to undesirable consequences as opposed to dedication. Everybody admires a person who is dedicated but is weary of a person who is obsessed.
Obsession leads to emotional over reaction in what they do and you will know when you meet these type of people who have nothing else to talk about or do. This can lead to dire consequences such as self injury, hurting other people physically and mentally, and they will probably burn out pretty quickly. They spend more time talking about the martial arts than actually doing it.
During the dark ages a person with an obsession or an extraordinary skill was cast a ‘witch’ resulting in execution. It was not hard to start up a rumour about someone you didn’t like resulting them being branded a witch without that person knowing about it. No judge, no jury, just execution. The Kings would often eliminate anyone who had extraordinary skill or knowledge; this is why this period was called the Dark Ages. There was no technological progress because anyone dare come up with a discovery or information would be executed.
The best advice if you are doing martial arts is dedicate yourself and not worry too much about what the other person thinks or says. They are probably the ones who are obsessed and will not be around long enough. They are not martial artists in the true way of the Budo spirit.
I think this is a good message to all our students and parents why the martial arts are important to us. Anybody who has extraordinary skill or knowledge are encouraged to come forward and help others.
GA
Nothing Even Comes Close
Don’t look any further than your local martial arts school. The biggest thing with losing weight is finding the right activity which will do the job but equally important is maintaining that activity. Gyms are great if you are self motivated but most people can’t sustain that, unlike martial arts, 
where there are incentives to reach targets and achieve grades. If gym clients miss a couple of sessions or break their routine, they may find it hard to return. This is how many of the big gyms make their money. Realistically, they would not be able to facilitate the huge number of members. They work on a percentage basis on the number of people who will not return which allows room for new clients. I am not suggesting gyms close down because there definitely is a need for them but I like to point out the situation with most of their members.
The alternative fitness and weight loss activity is martial arts. Martial arts schools are usually quite different in that they want lifelong members. In fact, their members are referred to as students not clients. When you walk in a martial arts school your Instructor greets you by your name, in a gym you usually have to present your ID card before they know who you are.
Martial arts are the best way to sustain regular training because of the long term goals. You get a whole lot more out of martial arts than from just getting fit in a gym. Gyms and sports can get you fit but there is no comparison especially when it comes to sparring and wrestling; nothing even comes close to that feeling! We all look and feel good in our ‘20’s. It is from here on what we do about it to prolong that. Those starting late can still reverse the clock.
I wonder what the average life expectancy membership is in a gym compared to a martial arts school.
GA