Mind-set, Its Importance

Mind set is used often throughout this blog and some others. It is well known as to its importance but how? The best example I can give is as follows:

First, a person was told that their injury would mean never playing sports and not having the ability to make full use of that part of their body. Second, the same person was told after a recovery from polio they would never be able to run and play with others because of the weaknesses, etc.

That person ended up running and playing and becoming a weight lifter. Later, when told otherwise, they joined and completed Marine Corps training as well as ten years of servive - honorable and able to achieve the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6) in five years of service. This same individual became a martial arts instructor for Marines and dependents as well as a civilian marital arts instructor at a Navy base for all personal, civilians and military.

The story speaks to a mind-set. If the person had believed those who said he/she couldn't to this or that would have meant a totally different life from the one lived. This same mind-set or lack thereof led to many accomplishments in both personal and professional life choices and accomplishments.

In another story for this person, he/she was told that due to a color deficiency he would not be acceptable to a job that involved very high security, etc. With the  mind-set that such stuff was not an obstacle but an opportunity led to his/her acceptance and as a symbol of faith toward this choice commenced to attain the highest grading in the two major schools for this discipline.

So, when you speak of mind-set speak to the sky above for to reach for the stars is far better than only reaching for the moon - you will be surprised at what can be done with a proper mind-set.

In the martial arts I would say mind-set is 95% the essence of the art, the rest just falls into place - so to speak.