Preparation is a form of courtesy.
We are not in this world alone.
Our actions and inactions have an affect on others.
We must choose what kind of affect we want them have.
When we are unprepared, underprepared, or ill-prepared for that which we must do from day to day, this has negative consequences not only for ourselves, but for everyone around us and beyond.
The cause of our lack of preparation does not really matter with regards to the effect it has on our lives and the lives of others.
Excuses, explanations, justifications, and even apologies do not change what happened or did not happen because of us.
Whether caused by busyness, procrastination, distraction, ignorance, or poor decision-making, the effect is the effect.
We owe it to ourselves and to everyone who is affected by our actions and actions to be prepared for what we must do, what we have committed to, and what we have given our word to do.
Preparation is a manifestation of the respect we have for ourselves and others, and lack of preparation is a demonstration of the opposite.
Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.
Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
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