I want to breach a subject that we all need to think about in our training and in all our life situations. This is about responsibility and accountability for the self. Basically there are three general types of individuals in our world.

3 Types of Individuals in Our World

Type 1. Those who go through life depending on others to direct them and tell them what to do. This type of individual places no blame on the self and blames others for their life situation. They go through life holding little or no responsibility for their actions. These individuals are unconscious and in doubt and fear of almost everything.

Type 2. Those who have accountability and responsibility situation-ally. They go in and out of dependency on others and will see blame on the self along with others or totally blame the self or others. They hold responsibility and accountability as the ego drive determines based on doubt and fear. Life is like a roller coaster for these individuals.

Type 3. Those who have accountability and responsibility for all they think, say and do. They have learned that each and every person draws what they think say and do to themself. They are awake and able to make decisions based in the highest good for themself and others. There are able to self determine and correct their life situations based on this highest good for themself and others. These individuals live without doubt and fear in unconditional love and peace.  They are totally awake and aware and very abundant in all that they do.

There is great power in waking up and understanding where you are at in your life. Overcoming doubt and fear then becoming responsible and accountable for yourself is a process.

So how does that manifest in training and testing in martial arts?

Type 1. Students who go through and do a few classes and test without proper training. Most of these students do a cursory review of the material and try to mimic the instructor without any self diagnosis or regard to how they are doing things. These students are unconsciously setting up a situation where the blame for failure can not be placed on themself. They can become angry when you critique them or asked to do more training and self correction. They eventually blame someone or something else for their failing. These individuals do not make it very far in martial arts.

Type 2. There are students that do some repetitive training but train erratically on the techniques. These students have a good bit of doubt and fear about what they are doing and how to do it. At times they critique themself and try to correct. A lot of these students will not ask for help because of fear of rejection.Then on certain techniques which are really difficult for them they just go on and try to exclude the technique from the test or go ahead and test the technique hoping the instructor will miss it or let them get by with what they are doing. Their techniques overall are erratic and not well trained in a lot of cases. With most of these students training is not consistent and they are sloppy. Sometimes these students last a few levels then drop out.

Type 3. There are students that are focused and determined. They pay close attention to detail and look critically at themselves and make corrections where needed. They study and train till they understand and know the material inside out. They prepare extensively for the exam and usually excel in all parts of the test. These students usually ask the instructor ahead of time, before the assignment or test about techniques they are having difficulty with. They accept criticism and change as needed. These individuals become Black Belts in their martial art and in life.

So what type of individual are you at this time? How do you approach your life and training? Don’t fool yourself when you are thinking about this. Your ego will try to fool you and make sense out of whatever you are doing. Understanding and correcting will require that you take a deep look into yourself. To change you will have to let go of any anger, fear, doubt, resentment, or judgement within you. This is a process and it takes time and personal review of yourself and courage and love for yourself to accomplish.

If you have a disability do not be disheartened. I have know many students that were disabled in someway and yet achieved a Black Belt in martial arts and in life. It is not about what you can’t do, it is about what you can do with what you have and how you choose to do it. Attitude, focus and determination is the key.

It is my divine hope and goal that we all improve ourselves. If you are a type 1 or 2 and do not try to change you will continue to be less than you are meant to be. To become a type 3 you will have to overcome fear and doubt to change. When you do this you will create a better you and your entire life will blossom.