Thursday, July 18, 2013

On a Better Place

How many public places would you leave your purse or wallet, or a bag full of expensive equipment or your child unattended?  I can’t think of many, in fact I can only think of one.  My gym.

Welcome to a world where a crying child will be held and comforted by a total stranger, where a world class athlete will stop and show you his best move, where integrity, honor and respect are more than ideals.  This is a place where my two-year-old nephew walks in bumping fists and high-fiving instructors and fighters alike, before pouncing on my students and spending the rest of the hour on my hip while I walk around and correct technique.  The only compensation that my husband and I receive for teaching this class is the joy of watching our students grow, and the opportunity to participate in this beautiful culture of combat.  That and watching our students strike fear in the hearts of their opponents with the kneebars we taught them…

We are a family of friends and strangers.  We are bound by an unspoken understanding of each other’s commitment, sacrifice, passion, and mutual respect.  Your family is my family, your struggles are my struggles, your triumph is my triumph.

It’s not a perfect world, people will disappoint you and egos will flare, but you always feel safe to continue loving… strangers and friends.  I think the rest of the world could learn a thing or two by stopping in.

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