“It's only those who are persistent and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the master work.”
- Paulo Coelho
The best martial artists are shitsuyo (執拗) or “persistent.” Interestingly, the old way to say persistent was shu (執) and the kanji is made up of two characters: happiness (幸) and circle or complete (丸). Looking at this kanji, one can posit that happiness is achieved through persistence. Talking about persistence, Furuya Sensei said it was like the Yagyu suisha (水車) or the “water wheel” motif in Yagyu tsuba hand guards. Discussing suisha, Furuya Sensei once wrote, “Who can stop the sword moving like the rays of the sun dashing between the ocean waves? It naturally, spontaneously, and persistently finds the opening.” Understanding this, those who are successful are the people who don’t give up. Therefore, for the coming year, I wish you nothing but persistence.
Whatever you dream you have - may you be persistent
When nothing seems to be going your way - may you be persistent
When all hope seems lost - may you be persistent
When you’ve bitten off more than you can chew - may you be persistent
When it feels like no one believes in you - may you be persistent
If you start something, don’t stop - may you be persistent
If you want to achieve something - may you be persistent
When the odds are against you - may you be persistent
In trying to make your dreams come true - may you be persistent
The best warriors aren’t necessarily the people with the most talent. A person becomes the best mainly because they were persistent and didn’t give up. Your happiness is within your reach, but you must be persistent to achieve it. This year be bold and push forward like the rays of light passing through an ocean wave. If nothing else, the best martial artists are persistent.
This year’s goal: Remember, as Benjamin Franklin once said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”