Simple Things

I often tell my students that what I teach them is simple, but not easy. Often, martial arts is about a quest for simplicity, but this is actually quite hard.

One of the first things a student at our school learns is how to bow, then how to tie their belt, then how to line up for the start of class. Each of these things is simple, but often executing them properly (especially under stress) can be the hardest thing in the world.

Too often I find that the world confuses simple and easy. People want to change their lives, but want it to be easy. Change is hard, but it is actually quite simple. It starts with a decision to change, and follows with a commitment to do the work necessary. And then it often requires the frighteningly simple, yet utterly terrifying step of asking for help.

I try not to proselytize about the effect of martial arts on your life, but identifying the difference between simple and easy is one of the best things I've learned from my years of training.