"Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn't Work Hard."

[Emil Ramos]

Reading the Book of Five Rings helped me change my perspective on the martial arts. The book was written in five scrolls, hence the name Book of Five Rings. Each scroll is named after one of the four main elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Wind. These are followed with the final scroll, The Scroll of Emptiness. Each scroll focuses on different aspects of the martial arts.

The book had many great lessons. One of my favorites was about the true science of martial arts. It means practicing martial arts in such a way that it will be useful at any time and learning it in such a way that it will be useful in all things. My language arts teacher gave us a paper on how people succeed. It sounds a lot like the Book of Five Rings.

WARNING: The answer to utter success and fortune lies beyond these words. Be cautioned for the answer might shock you.

 The way to utter success and fortune is… to work really, really, really, really, really painfully, excruciatingly hard towards your goals. This means practice perfectly, every time, almost every day. Yup, it has nothing to do with genetics or natural talent.

If you like that I could also tell you the secret to eternal happiness in the next post.

“Martial arts is the warrior’s way of life - Rhythm exists in everything, especially in your opponent - The mind is not dragged by the body; the body is not dragged by the mind - Fixation is the way to death - Fluidity is the way to life.” These are some of the many things the book has taught me, but there is a great difference between being taught by a teacher and learning and understanding it for oneself. Life lessons come with time and experience; the black belt challenge is an experience that has and will teach me many lessons. That is why they say wisdom comes with age and experience! 

When you learn something important you should take it into account. Not just remember it but practice it, bring it into your life. I’m trying really, really, really, really painfully, excruciatingly hard.