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KUNG FU Lesson of the Month December 1999
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Glen Doyle teaches at Previous Lessons
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By Sifu Glen Doyle
This ideal was more from my father's way of fighting
(boxing, jiu jitsu, and Uisce Beatha Bata Rince), but
it fits so well into any martial art training
sequence.
In the martial art world you will meet every type of
character. They all will be in different stages of
fighting prowess, and these unique stages will also be
influenced by character and personality.
In my travels, I'll always meet the martial artists
that question their own ability. I can tell these
people by the way they carry themselves in a
conversation in their first meeting with me.
Martial artists who question themselves will talk of
huge tales of combat, name drop, and of course show
you every technique they know (whether or not the
conversation even eluded to it).
Now, to an inexperienced martial artist these
actions would be construed as challenging... but they
aren't. The martial artist in question is just
building up their own self worth through physical
demonstration or verbal boasting.
I take my dad's advice on all matters with regards to
this behaviour. No matter what the person does, or says, or
brags about I just smile and nod... let them have
their moment. If they are aggressive, then that's a
different story and they should be dealt with 'BANG'
no hesitation or warning. But most times they're
giving you their Wizard of Oz dog and pony show...
let them have their day. Just keep smiling, joke and
have fun. Because when everyone gets used to that,
when the 'real deal' goes down and you stop
smiling, people will sit up and take notice... just like
a rattlesnake warning you about his location.
Please be aware...Many people are not as confident as
they may try to make themselves out to be... but they
are relatively innocent. The only thing that makes
them dangerous is if you react to them in a violent
manner.
Please have a safe holiday -- and bring in the new
year with a smile!
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