One of the most difficult and important lessons of martial arts training is the art of follow through. Essentially, it means completing an intention, whether it's a punch, kick, throw, or sword strike, learning how to execute a movement is vital to grasping and maintaining any sort of martial skill. This does not come easy for most of us, because seeing something through to the end always requires some kind of sacrifice, be it pain, pride, comfort or any other type of fleshy thing that we all cling to. But when we do...land that punch, execute that throw, lose those pounds, complete that marathon...holy cow. Almost no better feeling in the world. It doesn't last long, but we carry the memory. And the more of those memories we build, the easier it is to go after other things.
Before joining the military, I had a difficult time with follow through. Mediocre grades in high school meant few options after graduation. A general lack of self-discipline throughout my young life made it tough to find a path once it was time for me to do so. This had a lot to do with my perpetual desire to seek comfort and the easy way out. A lot of people would say this is just a normal kid thing, but I believe, through personal experience that I was hampered early on because I didn't really understand discipline. This is not the same thing as following the rules or doing what you're told to do; that's not discipline, merely compliance. Discipline comes from repeatedly forcing yourself to do things you really don't want to do, but do anyway. I think a lot of us learned early in basic training what happens when you don't follow through. Not only do you let yourself down, but others as well. Your actions, or lack of action has consequences for you and for everyone in your sphere.
Of the several martial arts I've studied over the years, I would say that judo and karate taught me a lot about follow through. Learning how to spar with someone is a great way find out what happens when you don't push past your fears of getting hit once in a while. You end up running around the mat, flailing rather than punching (or kicking) your opponent in a futile attempt not to get hit. It takes courage and commitment to hit back; it's tougher than you think. And when you walk into a punch enough times, you begin to understand the need to put in the reps and develop the skills necessary to purse rather than to run away. And judo...ahh judo. In my mind, there is no other martial art that requires more finesse than judo. You and your opponent constantly locked in a standing guard trying to move and gain control, looking for that instant where his kuzushi (center of gravity) is weak enough to throw him down. One tough sport; one tough art. And while my experiences and personal desire did not lead me down that particular path, I'm eternally grateful for the lesson. In order to seize the moment, you have to look for it. More importantly, you have to open yourself up to it...you have to deal with your own vulnerability.
You cannot succeed in life without learning how to follow through. And you cannot learn how to follow through without dealing with your own fears and lack of discipline. No one achieves any sort of success in business, for example, without follow through, especially if you're an entrepreneur. You have to be willing to take risks and invest time and money, all with the knowledge that you could lose it. Jesus speaks of this in Matthew 25:14 in the parable of talents where those who have the courage and discipline to invest their master's money wisely, created more wealth while one who was fearful and lazy, simply buried his portion in the ground. That would be lack of follow through, if you don't get the gist. Yes, you could lose a fortune or you could gain one. Burry it in the ground and you lose nothing; you also gain nothing. Run around the mat and flail your arms because you're afraid to take one to the face or the gut, and you lose nothing; you also gain nothing. Goals like getting into better shape are nothing more than lofty ideas without action; you must commit and follow through if you expect to see a result.
It has been my experience that lessons learned on a tatami mat or on the wooden floor of the karate dojo, more often than not transcend to life outside of the dojo. I had 35 years with my first wife and now embarking on whatever time I have left with another. Both have struggled with cancer. Both have had to follow through with surgery, with chemo, with the ever present realization of mortality. Aside from the humility of watching these women endure, I am continually struck by the courage it takes remain in the fight. Surprisingly, in getting to know others who deal with cancer, there are a number of spouses out there who refuse to stay in the fight with the one they promised to love and support for better or worse, in sickness and health. How in the hell can you do that? How can you walk away after 10, 20 or more years of marriage, kids, vacations and experiences when you are absolutely needed most? I don't know, but I think it all goes back to discipline...the willingness to follow through. God does not bring people together so they can have a party for all of our days; He brings us together so that we may struggle together, cry together, pray together, laugh together. And, enjoy the occasional party. Earn the party, might be a better phrase.
I am no saint, that is for sure. And I still struggle every day with the art of follow through. When I close my eyes at night, I often think of the things I could have done better that day, the calls I should made, perhaps the things I should have said...or not said. The reps I should have put in, the time I should have committed. And when I wake in the morning and talk with God, I ask, among other things, for the help in following through. Blessed are we, to have the One who always hears.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho