by Stephen K. Hayes

Do you ever secretly sit in judgement about your skills and abilities? 

“How am I really doing in my To-Shin Do training?” 

When it comes to judging yourself, and rating your training success, it is important to decide first why you are training. 

Are you training…

To beat an armed gang of murderous drug dealers? 

To develop a healthier more fit and supple body? 

To enjoy meaningful times and friendships with interesting people? 

To gain knowledge for handling an irrational person in a conflict or confrontation?

To explore the challenge of giving all to the moment at hand? 

To gain resources for emotional ambushes and assaults in life? 

To learn and hand on to a new generation a vibrant ages-old tradition?

To win a no-holds-bared cage fight?

To explore deepest true meaning in life? 

To develop a happier more confident and relaxed bearing? 

Stop and consider why you are REALLY training. What brought you to practicing To-Shin Do? What keeps you coming back several times per week?

Are you getting your intended results class by class? Are you progressing? Getting better at what really motivates you to train?

Is it possible that it is not at all about consistently “beating” other people, as might be the focus of boxing, judo, or other conventional martial arts. Sure, you want to keep improving your skills and abilities to stand up for yourself or others. But maybe it is about learning how to build a successful, happy, productive, and vibrant life? If that is your motivation, how are you doing?