Baby Steps

How do we get from point A to point B? What's the shortest distance between two points?

A straight line, right? True enough. But if we're going to Johnny-Cash that line, we have to know the proper way to get from point A to point B. Do we run? Do we jump? Do we hop-scotch?

In the martial arts, in order to get from one point in your training to another, you have to simply go at it one step at a time. There's no secret formula. No magic lamp you can rub that will grant you three wishes. You have to do that one thing that your parents were so proud they saw you do for the first time when you were young - take baby steps.

Baby steps is one of my favorite analogies. People always try to do more than they're capable of. Sometimes they succeed, but more often than not they fail. It's not because of a lack of desire or passion. It's because people try to skip steps and they move too fast.

Baby steps.

Yes, some people can achieve things in leaps and bounds. They can memorize a 30-move form in 15 minutes, not practice it for a week, then come back and perform it with precision and power. For others, it's not so simple. Even the people than can perform such feats will one day hit a barrier. They'll plateau out, get frustrated at their lack of progress, grow impatient and quit.

Baby steps.

Baby steps requires patience. It's a virtue for a reason. I don't claim to be a religious man, but I do understand that the seven "heavenly" virtues hold merit. Patience counters anger. When we grow angry, we put on blinders and block out many of the important things. We forget to keep our balance while performing a kata. We forget to breathe while we're sparring. We forget to respect our opponent. We forget to take...

Baby steps.

Even if you feel yourself quickly learning the martial arts, or an aspect therein - or anything for that matter! - learn to take those baby steps. Take your time. You'll get there at some point. It may take you longer than others and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. As long as you can take it one step at a time, that point B will eventually be right in front of you, close enough so that you can touch it. All you have to remember is...

Baby steps.

Because after you've reached point B, you'll look up at the horizon and see point C.

- J