Disrupting the Circle

I'll be the first to admit I struggle with asking others for help. I don't like to impose burden on others and therefore I have always chose to find my own way for the most part. I have taken many a long roads with this approach and many bouts of frustration.  I have always thought that's how you learn and that is how you become highly skilled. Don't get me wrong, a lot of people have shared their knowledge with me but for the most part, I was approached more than I asked for help, either way I am grateful for all of them. To me the mindset was you educate yourself and never take the easy way by going straight to the answer. However some of my most influential teachers and mentors didn't take this approach. Someone that really wants to see you excel will share many ways to accomplish or find the answer to a problem without giving you the solution because they recognize we are all different and we all think and act different and no one has the right to take that experience from you. This is why several avenues shown will be the most beneficial to whatever it is you are trying to accomplish at a high skill set. Not asking for help has struck a thought with me tonight at the school and made me look at the big picture and just how damaging of a ripple effect you can cause with this mindset because I believe also no one has the right to keep others from excelling out of shear stubbornness or not using the opportunity that is right in front of you.

I have had a major realization of how me not asking for help is preventing others above me and around me to advance and become better martial artists. If you take a good look at all of our Black Belts in the school, they are all skilled, but each and everyone has a strong point that at the drop of a hat, they want to share that knowledge. They are passionate about the art, but not only that, they are all trying to advance themselves. So when you don't ask questions or you don't ask for help or advice, you are putting a stall on everything, you are pouring super glue on the gears of excellence. All skill advancement for everyone becomes slow and stagnant. Kung Fu works in a circle, as does the lineage and skill level of the school. Every time someone helps another, the circle continues and advancement and skill potency continues to evolve. You learn something, others learn something, and sometimes new discoveries are made that help and improve everyone's skills at all levels. Your problems or struggles can help so many others, all you have to do is ask for help or advice. An important factor to remember is at some point someone has been there or knows someone that has and they want to help. So instead of making jerks out of them or myself, my mission is to use the help that is right in front of me and help others including myself along the way. It won't be easy, but it's not all about me, it's about us as martial artists. Maybe I am talking straight out of butt on this but either way, see you at the kwoon.