There will be times when our desires will be at odds with our obligations.
We will have to choose between what we want for ourselves and what we owe others.
Whether it is our time, attention, or effort, we will have to decide where to give and where to take.
Our resources are limited.
A sacrifice will have to be made.
We are going to disappoint someone.
It will either be ourselves or those who depend on us.
No matter how noble and righteous we imagine ourselves to be, this will not be an easy decision to make.
Nor will it always be an obvious choice.
In fact, we will have to make this choice many times over throughout our lives.
The question we have to ask ourselves is which path will lead us to regret and which will lead us to fulfillment.
We may not know the answer until it is too late.
Nevertheless, we must choose.
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 Kogen Dojo Self Defense Academy where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.*
*Robert Van Valkenburgh’s black and white photography can be seen at My Darkness To Light
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