How Well did you Train Today?

---

We assess our strengths and weaknesses as we prepare for competition, we assess whether our current study habits are going to carry us through the school year and we make determinations on what changes need to be made to achieve our goals. We all have high expectations for ourselves to perform well in the classroom, at home and in competition. This is why we train.
The question that matters is... How well did I train today?

To the casual onlooker, Martial Arts is usually measured asthetically; the color of a belt, the tools in your gear bag or perhaps how you performed at a promotional testing. As Martial Artists, we recognize that those are all merely indications of where we once were. When we measure ourselves, we only evaluate what we are capable of today. If my balance and control was excellent yesterday but today I am not pleased with it, then my assessment would be that I have a problem that I need to address. If I treated my parents and teachers with respect yesterday but not today, would I be able to say I am a person who shows respect? We don't measure ourselves by the best we have been, only by how we would measure ourselves today.

We also learn to appreciate the difference between practicing a technique and perfecting it to the point of usefulness. A high round kick or reverse hook kick that may be impressive to some, undoubtedly suffers a great deal more scrutiny in our eyes. We see very small details that tell us if they are in control of the technique and whether they could execute it effectively in sparring or competition. Similarly, the values we study and practice carry into all aspects of our lives only if we strive to perfect them. We all know Confidence, Self Control, Integrity, Honor, Perserverance and Discipline are expectations when we're on the floor working out. But what good are these skills if we don't master them and apply them at home and in school?

You have all heard me say that in order to become a Black Belt, you must first learn to train and act as a Black Belt. That means you have to act like a Black Belt outside of class before you earn it in class. Even then, what you've truly earned is the right to train as a Black Belt.
Earning a Black Belt signifies the dedication and commitment you have made to excellence and self improvement. Being a Black Belt requires a constant focus on who you are at all times.

As you evaluate your progress, ask yourself how well you trained today. Did you recognize an area in your life where you need to make a change? Did you practice those skills that still need some work to perfect? You need to identify these areas and take action today. This is what it means to be a Black Belt.

Focus on how well you train today.

Best regards,
Chief Master Hoover

Yesterday... Today... Tomorrow

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said.

Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its possible adversaries, its burdens, its large promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond immediate control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow for it is as yet unborn.

This leaves only one day today. Any man can fight the battle of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities.

Yesterday and tomorrow, that we break down. It is not the experience of today that drives men mad.

It is the remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow will bring.

Let us therefore live but one day at a time!

Author Unknown

---