Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a full contact sport that favors technique over strength and force. But for me, it’s not about technique or strength. I try to focus on the movement of energy and to do that, I have to block out everything from my mind and spirit. If I don’t, there’s a good chance I’ll be choked out.
During a match, nothing else matters to me. I lose myself in those moments in which my mind and body align into purposeful action. The thing is, I wish I could take that same consciousness and apply it within my everyday life. Over the years, I’ve realized that I am the source of my own problems. Even it appears that something happens to me outside of my control, my response is my responsibility. How I judge and respond to my reality is strictly up to me.
On the mat, I don’t get mad when my opponent gets control of the match. Even if I made a mistake that placed me in jeopardy, I can’t afford to lose focus. If I do, there’s a really good chance that I’ll end up in a worse situation. But in real life, I have a tendency to get caught up in stupidity and react with adverse emotion. What I should do is focus on the moment and maintain control, just as I would during a match.
I have a lot to learn, both in BJJ and in real life. But I suspect that if I can learn to align my thoughts and actions, I think that I will probably have a lot less problems…I really do think we all would. It’s a matter of learning that we are the source of our problems. Maybe everyone should learn BJJ. In a match, only the moment matters…
