What's the Point!?

Good-day & I hope that all is well with you!

   In going through the exercise from my last post and reflecting on all that we try to accomplish in this endeavor, I am confronted with a stark reality. Questions arise and the path seems bleak at times, as I am sure you've found during your time. The reality is that even with all we learn, we may be in a fruitless pursuit of perfection that never will come. I then realized, it doesn't matter! The trying is the important thing and that we are the better for the doing. In training martial arts we are brought before this very altar. We struggle towards a goal that will forever elude us. When I was younger this brought no end to the feelings of despair but through the training I have come to realize that this is the point. Training, struggling, sweating, meditating, and learning to enjoy that process. Realize that you are already stronger just for the effort put forth in the retraining of your Mind! When feelings of despair, depression and hopelessness arise realize that these are the old ways being purged and the new thought-habits taking their place. Have joy in the midst of this (un-reasonable happiness, yes!) and put forth a renewed effort. Practice the exercise of getting Center that we went over a few posts ago until you feel your strength pour forth again. Extend your Mind and energy to the goal you have before you and don't let go!
   
To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach.  ~Havelock Ellis