DISCIPLINE - the martial arts is all about discipline.  The repetition to run a kata hundreds and even thousands of times, takes discipline.  Training early in the morning, running when you want to be sleeping, stretching when you want to be laying on the couch watching TV, working the wooden dummy when your arms are still sore and bruised all take discipline.  Without discipline to push ourselves through the tough times we are no different than anyone else.  Martial arts is a way of life.  It is not a hobby, though some treat it that way.  It is about giving that little extra, going that extra mile and pushing when you really just want to lay down.

Tonight I did not want to go to class.  It has been a rough week and I am tired.  Tonight while sparring I got hit with everything but the kitchen sink (trust me, if there were a kitchen sink someone would have hit me with it).  One of the hardest parts to triaining is doing it when it is the last possible thing you want to do.  Sparring is especially something that is difficult when your mind is not on it.   Having the discipline to push yourself through the difficult times is what makes a martial artist. 

It has been said that your worst day in class is the best you will do on the street.  Keeping that in mind, I am one that believes in training during the bad times.  As long as I am not contagious, I try to make it as often as I can.  Who is to say that if I am confronted on the street that I will be feeling my best and ready to go?  Chances are I will not.  Chances are you will not either. 

So just remember that when you have a bad night it is not the end of the world.  For every bad night in class there will be another night that is equally as good.  Keep running those katas, sparring every chance you get and pushing through the rough times.  You will reap the rewards.  I guarantee it.