Winning as a Concept

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In karate, as with almost every American physical endeavor we are caught up with winning, winning, winning. It is our failure to miss, ignore or forget that winning is often one singular momentary gratifying instance that comes and goes while the processes applied to make that winning mark are the real benefit of participation in any contest or competitive endeavor. 

It has been said in many ways that it is not the winning the matters but the process to get there or in another way, "Winning isn't everything!" Then there is, "It isn't about winning or losing but how we play the game." Playing is important and success in the discipline is also important because one must have goals, objectives and milestones in the playing of things.

To win something is one thing and to win something in a manner that holds honor, integrity and good conduct of participants is another. Look to winning or losing as the extreme's of the yin-yang principle where all that stuff in the spectrum or space between the extremes is of greater value simply because that is where we spend most, almost all, of our time. 

In karate, initially and dependent on the what, when, where and especially how of teaching and learning, we often focus heavily on the coveted black belt. Like winning, the black belt tends to effect the process of achieving that milestone in the dojo. In this process with the focus on the kuro-obi many of the benefits that come from continuous focus and training and practice of concepts, methods and methodologies tend to get lost but when we focus on the process along the way with effort toward humility, efficiency, practicality, effectiveness and all those fundamental principled based things we create a more robust overall understanding and mastery. 

In most karate dojo reaching for the black belt tends to ignore all the stars and planets in the universe that surround it because reaching for the moon is one thing, reaching for the black belt, but reading for the stars widens your horizons and exposes you to far more benefits that merely achieving black belt status. 

Yes, winning in a discipline is a good goal - one of many goals, milestones and objectives/benefits. Yes, we want to win and when we do it is best to bask in that glory for the moment but then turn our minds, bodies and spirits back toward reflection on the entire process we experienced along the road. 

Look to winning and losing as an indicator, an experience, that helps you build a foundation that leads you toward something more glorious and something that becomes an intricate part of you, your character and your personality. Remember, only one gets to stand on the winners box so all the others will need to contemplate to grow, like how we grow and improve by the mistakes we make.

Do not fall into the trap of "I must win," and don't fall into the trap of, "losers, are losers," and don't fall into the trap of, "winning is everything and the only thing." 

Think of it this way, many win by hook or by crook, right? What to they really have because in my experience winning without honor, etc., tends to fade faster while those around them tend to ignore and have little respect for them and they often find themselves alone and sooner rather than later, in dire life straights. 

Those who win through honor, integrity and sweat equity, etc., tend to build that character and personality that leads then past the momentary win instant gratifying feelings and presents them with a mind-set and mind-state of spirit that leads them to win in almost everything they do, say and believe. What a wonderful reality that would build, don't you think?

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