Self vs. Others

We martial artist seem to be stuck looking to others to validate who we are, what we do and what level of proficiency we are at at any given moment. It brought to mind a quote from a movie I felt really hit on how humans seek outside what is often answered from within:

Socrates: Everyone wants to tell you what to do and what's good for you. They don't want you to find your own answers, they want you to believe theirs.
Dan: Let me guess, and you want me to believe yours.
Socrates: No, I want you to stop gathering information from the outside and start gathering it from the inside.

Take a look next time to what is inside yourself when your feeling troubles and conflict, it just may have the answer you need. Don't believe others unless you first believe in yourself.

Yes, you still have to gather information from the outside but in a open-minded manner allowing what is already inside to make the decision. You are your own expert and experts outside are their own experts and sometimes they are not the same.

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