Author: joconnor
A few years ago I started to wonder if martial arts would be something I could do and benefit from. I knew next to nothing about it except maybe some fragmented memories of scenes from the movie The Karate Kid. But I knew I wanted to be able to defend myself in case anything ever happened. I didn’t really even know what “anything” was; I just knew I wanted to have more confidence. I also thought that maybe karate would instill some much-needed discipline in me. Finally, I figured it would be a better and more interesting way to exercise than moving weights up and down at the gym and running on a treadmill like a hamster.
So I took the plunge. I signed up for Kenpo Karate at the local dojo (which literally means “place of the Way”, or “place of practice”). I had no idea how many other benefits karate offered.
I started to learn how to defend myself indeed, but I also learned that taking on something like karate is less a project and more a journey. I also learned I needed some serious patience. If I thought I was going to be able to fend off a would-be mugger with a knife after a few karate sessions, I was sorely mistaken. I soon realized that if I was to expect tangible results, I was going to need to dedicate myself for a while and develop infinite patience.
But it dawned on me that anything worthwhile takes hard work and time, so I hunkered down and started training regularly. I soon realized that what I thought was going to take months was really going to take years. So my patience developed.
My muscles developed too. In fact, I was sore in places that I didn’t even know existed. From my thumbs to my ribs, I found muscles that hadn’t ever been flexed before. After a half a year I started getting into the best shape of my life, and I had hardly noticed because I was concentrating on learning the craft.
My discipline began to grow as well. Often I just didn’t want to go, but I forced myself and always felt better for it afterward, always. Our sensei (teacher) is a blackbelt and former military man, so his brand of teaching certainly involves discipline, but never more than anyone can handle. Moreover, to learn the various karate moves and forms, I began to develop discipline over every miniscule movement of my body. And to perform each of the moves properly, you need to have supreme control over your mind as well as your body. This takes years of practice, but even the novice benefits from each attempt.
My confidence continued to grow, but not just confidence in fighting, but confidence in my physical abilities, and each time I train, my confidence develops even further. I have more faith in myself, I trust myself more.
Another benefit of training in the martial arts is that one begins to grasp the difference between the goal and the journey, and why the latter is so much more important. In this day and age of hyper-consumerism and quick fixes and TV, it’s easy to think that the goal is everything, regardless of how you get there. Capitalism stresses achievement and profits at the expense of the process. TV shows and commercials wrap everything up neatly and cleanly by the end, without much real struggle. And we are bombarded with advertisements of immediate relief or riches or good looks if we “just buy this product”.
But what about the process? What about the journey? What about the lifestyle? Everyone’s in such a rush to get somewhere or get something that many of us Westerners miss our own lives and each of the present moments because we’re so concerned with the future. Training in karate slows one’s life down a bit. It teaches one how to enjoy the process, not the goal. It’s a life long study, and no one reaches blackbelt status quickly. That’s the way it should be.
Once you learn to enjoy the process, to enjoy the intrinsic goodness of practicing and training, you begin to grasp one key to life. The journey is more important than the goal.
Source: Free Articles
In the early days of gold parties, everyone expected to get rich as quickly as possible. This often led to some unscrupulous practices. Gold party organizers would blanket their community with leaflets or flyers inviting anyone and everyone to come sell their gold. Unsavory individuals with a penchant for crime would come to the parties bringing steel chains that they had painted gold in attempts to sell them for a large gain.
Other criminals would actually lay in waiting, ready to intercept individuals on their way to gold parties and steal the gold. Others would wait until after the parties and spring upon poor folks robbing them of their gold, or their money if they had already sold their gold. It became quite a profitable practice.
It didn’t take long for organizers to learn their lessons. Now, gold parties are much more discreet. Usually they’re held at the home of a reputable individual and only friends or family are invited.
The parties aren’t widely publicized, thus lessening the chance for people to be robbed as a result. There may even be escorts to accompany party-goers to and from the site for protection.
Gold parties appear to have won back their reputations as fun and profitable events. No longer are people nervous about losing their valuables in the process. Instead they can attend confident that they’ll be given fair street value for their belongings that they would otherwise be disinterested in keeping. It gives friends a chance to get together and enjoy life.
There are many ways to cash in on your gold. I’m sure you have seen those commercials that tell you to mail in your gold, then they will send you a check for what it is worth. Others offer do-it-yourself packets with materials to help you appraise the gold yourself. There are other companies that offer to send professionals to your home to do the work for you. Which is the best? Different methods work for different people.
Personally, I have had experience with gold parties hosted by women I knew who brought in a professional to appraise my gold. I prefer it this way because I know that a professional will be more accurate than someone who learned the process in a do-it-yourself manual and no prior experience. Granted this is my only experience.
I received a considerable amount for my gold at this party, and so I trust this method.
Friends of mine have cashed in their gold in other ways, one sent in her gold through the mail. She got some money but she had no way of knowing, how or why they gave her that amount. In contrast, I was able to ask questions and talk to my appraiser about my gold, point out things she might have missed, or background information that made the gold more valuable.
Another friend has gone to gold parties that were do-it-yourselfers. She expressed to me her doubts, the woman was confused and had to refer to the manual several times for clarification. I feel comfortable with my choice in gold parties!
Author: Matthew Bryers
If you want to sharpen your combat skills for self-defense purposes, you can do so with Martial Arts. Consist of several systems of traditions and practices, they are also studied for reasons of mental discipline, self confidence and character development. There are many types or categories of martial arts – each one different from the next. Here are some of the most popular types.
Filipino Martial Arts – because the Philippines was the site of so many battles and combats, it is not surprising that the Filipinos have developed their own style of martial arts. Employing a wide range of methods in training, instructors of this type of martial arts believe that it is necessary to use knowledge and skills when in combat. Traditional Filipino martial arts also uses weapons like the sibat, baston, espada, latigo and lubid.
Chinese Martial Arts – the most famous of all styles are kung fu and wushu. When referring to kung fu, the system of martial arts refers to the accomplishment or skill of the person. On the other hand, wushu is more applicable to martial arts activities in general. In fact, it is considered to be a modern sport, like gymnastics. Chinese martial arts was borne from the need to defend one’s self during ancient China. Soldiers, preparing for war, are trained in martial arts in preparation for hand to hand combat.
Russian Martial Arts – like the Filipino and Chinese martial arts, the Russian martial arts was borne from the necessity for defense. During the ancient times, the Russian military have to protect their lands from invaders. The Russian martial arts is actually a combination of several styles including Japanese and Chinese martial arts. In any case, it resulted to a new style of martial arts and commonly referred to as Russian Sambo.
If you are interested in learning about different fight techniques including these martial arts style, there is only one authority to go to. The Fight Authority is a one-stop resource of all types of fighting techniques including martial arts, street fighting and other hand to hand combat skills. In addition to learning about the different types of fighting techniques, site visitors can also watch martial arts videos including muay thai, jiu jitsu and MMA training.
Learning martial arts is an effective way to protect yourself from situations that require you to stand up and defend your self. On the other hand, you should realize that learning is just the beginning. Martial arts is also an important discipline that requires you to seek out a way to improve yourself and develop your skills. It is a continuous process and should be taken quite seriously.
The Fight Authority will help you with all these things plus provide you with the means to meet other martial arts enthusiasts. The advances in technology have bridged so many barriers including time and distance and you will be able to maximize this particular feature of the internet. And the good news is you do not even have to leave your home to learn about martial arts.
(ArticlesBase ID #211731)
Source: articlesbase.com