Kendo and the world today.

[b8amack]

Hey guys, something hit me today, while in school...

Something to do with kendo and the world today, like i mean with all the crisis's going on and the financial issues and wars going on.
How do some of us even imagine to continue such martial arts when most of us are in crisis? good jobs? few perks? own your own business?
I consider you guys lucky, hard for me to concentrate on the sword when all this ruckus is in the way such as growing up to the real world behind the images the school creates. Such as "Bright future, Goals".
I made lots of goals but only completed a few... after 5 months of kendo, things are looking rough as im getting close to graduation in June.
i would like to think im getting passed the smoke by believing i got hopes from family members and close friends.
As for bogu, good grief! i haven't got into yet and im starting to flunk kendo classes... But i got a job, full-time... i hate to skip kendo classes just to get bogu. Anyways Wars, Issues, kendo... Why do it when theres so much trouble in the way?

If you want to quit, quit. There's no shame in it. But don't front like it's kendo that's stopping you from saving the world or curing cancer.

[FastKendo]

Take care your trouble first. My Sensei always said "Kendo will wait, Kendo will never run" (or something like that, lol). Anytime you want to come back, I believe Kendo will accept you with a wide open arms.

[sarge127]

Indeed it will, but im concerned for the world than myself... i believe im doing quite well so to believe. (Not like it will change anything, pheh as if).
i had fun practice last night, but the look of one student had me sick i could tell he's having a rough time of the place we both stay in.
I know the feeling to well, heh! we practiced Nihon-waza and tare? without bogu! it was fun i enjoyed it, the body crashing was fun to begin with i felt like laughing but that was permitted, im still on the bogu hunt! anyways thanks gents!

[pgsmith]

I SO want that on a tenugui

Hmmm ... I know a place that will custom make them. Might have to look into it.

[Fudo-Shin]

Not a fan of Flight of the Concords. Even as a New Zealander.

Yeah, a bit dry for some - which suits me perfectly... But when it comes to discussing the "issues", I think they do it the best!

[rainmaker]

Just focus on what is important to you. Rest will follow. You don't need to inspired by others. You should be inspired by you.. Good luck with job, kendo and bogu.

[Cailin Coilleac]

Or as I always say to my students who are telling me they need to focus on school and don't have time for kendo...and feel guilty:
"You need to do what you have to do now, kendo will always be there.

I like this. It's a reassuring thought.

[KendoPadawan]

This might be a bit of a late post, but I encourage to continue to do kendo. I believe it depends on how you see what is the purpose of kendo. I believe that kendo is to help train your mind and body as one (ki-ken-tai ichi). With this belief, I apply it to my daily activities. In Kendo, you get knocked over - you get back up and try again. Someone scores an ippon on you. You train harder and try again. These are obstacles in your kendo practice - just like daily activities there are obstacles (ie financial crisis etc). I believe that kendo helps you in dealing with everything you do - thus I encourage you to keep going if you can.