Who are we?

Some things that I have read recently have angered me, and they have given me reason to ponder and reflect on who I am, and why I am, who I am.

Every second of every day, we make choices. These choices define who we really are. These choices decide our future, and often the future of others. Most important of all, these choices always come with consequences. Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Choices are always constant in that they always create change.

In our everyday life, choices aren't really such a big deal. We make choices and decide what to do, or say, by the way we have programmed our character. We don't have to take time to think about what choice to make because it is most often just a natural thing to do. The decision is often made ahead of time because of who we choose to be. If I decide not to drink, then I have nothing to think about when someone offers me a glass of wine. The answer "no thanks" automatically comes out. I believe that this is the reason that teaching our children to have good morals and standards from an early age is so very important.

Who we are is a result of many different factors. Some of those factors are a product of decisions made by others when we were very young. Our upbringing is huge in the final product of who we become, but it certainly does not stop there. I know this first hand. We all have potential to become much greater than a product of our environment. How...By the choices we make. For me, I have been lucky enough to have great exemplars in my life to help me to rise and become who I am today. Without them, I know that I would not have the quality of life that I have. One of my earlier blog entries explains all that.

Who I am also has a great deal to do with my years of martial arts history. I have learned a lot about work ethics, my self worth, character traits that are important to have, what it takes to build strong communities, the difference between what is right and what is wrong, amongst other things. I have learned what it takes to truly be a Martial artist, and I have said this many times. Martial arts is a way of life for me. Bottom line is that when I make a choice, I make a choice according to my own beliefs and personal character...that comes from being a martial artist. There is not a Sifu Stoddart, and a Brenda Stoddart. The two are one and the same. There aren't rules to follow in the kwoon that don't apply outside of it. Of course we don't bow to people out in public, but what about showing self respect, and respect to others? The non profanity? Living healthy, and taking good care of our bodies, and helping others to learn how to do the same, through our encouragement and example? Working hard, and always giving 110%? Combine that with the rest of our training, and those are all things that give a martial artist character.

What I choose to do outside of the kwoon, reflects what I do inside of it. The choices I make on a daily basis, no matter how large or small, reflect who I am ALWAYS. Do I sometimes make wrong choices. Of course I do, and I recognize that, and then I make a point of creating change. Without that recognition, change cannot happen. That is why there is no such thing as a mistake. They are all opportunities for learning.

They say that nothing is as constant as change. How does change happen? From personal choices we make and the choices others make as well. Sometimes the choices we make come from many hours, or days of hard thought and comparing pros and cons. But most come from everyday things we do. Most come from simply being who we really are.