When we are aware, we know our vulnerability to injury and death. And from this awareness springs fear. It is natural, and we all feel it at times. And this is good, because without fear, we could not be courageous. Courage should not be thought of as the absence of fear, but rather as doing the right thing in the face of fear.
One fear many have is the fear of failure, which is a threat to self-esteem. Some will even refuse to attempt something they may fail at, or when the task becomes difficult, there is a tendency in some to reinterpret the task as something not really that important and therefore give themselves an excuse to stop.
Martial artists are acquainted with this form of fear, and sometimes the temptation to skip training, or find an excuse to stop all together, gets the best of some and they never realize the benefits of their pursuit and never achieve the accomplishment of becoming proficient in their art through hard work, sweat and blood. Sometimes it takes courage to push through the pain and continue to train.
And by doing this, you help develop your overall character and strengthen your virtue of courage. This may help you be courageous in actual defensive situations and may help you carry out admirable acts in the face of opposition in other areas of your life too. When you learn to tough one thing out and achieve the rewards that determination, discipline and yes, courage, bring you, it will transcend to other areas of your life.
Courage is one of many virtues the study of martial arts can bring you. That is, if you are courageous enough to stick with it through the difficult times. If you’re reading this, I know you are, and I know you will.
Yours in training – Alain