A Balanced Martial Artist

Once there was an old instructor who had 3 students, One a great puncher, one an incredible kicker, and one few of the villagers knew anything about. A new martial artist came to town and challenged the old instructor to a match. Being proper students, The senior student known as the great puncher answered the call. In the morning light the match was held. The puncher lost, and in doing so, lost his clothing and returned humbled and naked to the old instructor. Again the Challenge was issued, and in the morning the great kicker answered the challenge. The same thing happened and the great kicker returned humbled and naked to his old teacher. The challenge was again issued, and the student no one had heard about said," I will go and answer the match." The village people laughed, " who is this student, the puncher lost, the kicker lost, who is this third student?" The morning came and the third student answered the challenge. At noon the third student returned to his old instructor with all the clothing and the clothing of the challenger. He had won. The villagers were shocked. How did he win they asked the old teacher. The old master smiled and said, the third student could punch almost as hard as the puncher, he could kick almost as well as the kicker, and he was balanced within his technique. I knew he would prevail. The morale of this is, seek to be balanced within your technique. Not only within your technique, but within all your training and life. Life is not about how hard you punch, nor about how well you can kick, but it is about balance within your body mind and spirit. Many people meditate so much they are no earthly good. Many people work so much they never have a life. It is hard, but there is a place where you are balanced, family always comes first because the wife and children make you immortal, they are your heritage. we train for the unexpected. To Protect the loved ones. Achieving balance is the goal.

A.F. Walker