Vagabond

It is brisk outside, as the pale blue light of dawn listlessly breaks through the curtains of a foreign room. I can hear the dull lull of the motors from cars on the nearby freeway. It is 6:15 am and I have been lying quietly in bed now for 23 minutes pondering the soon to come events of today. Forth most upon my mind is my first fight. Being honest with myself I realize that I am anxious, slightly intimidated, eager, and desperately hoping for the invigoration that comes with a new outlook ...

Martial arts will always give more to me than I take away from it. I do not want to fight for violence, but for the refinement of my skills. I do not want to compete for trophies, but to broaden my experience. I do not want a belt or rank to boast, but as a marker of my responsibility to my art. I can’t help but train in martial arts, it is just who I am.

[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]I recently attained my 3rd kyu, or brown belt. While I still have two more tests (2 more belts of ...