Pressure Cooker

You get to determine your own level of involvement. You choose to show up and to bring your game or you don't. And the game is extra hard sometimes, especially when you are nursing injuries or discomforts. And you can injure more than just your body; ego can take a beating sometimes too. But if you can't get past conquering those discomforts, you end up suffering in the end.

The best thing about these different kinds of pains and pressures is that help you understand what you need to work on. If you get your thumb bent back; keep it tucked in next time (this lesson can be taught over a two month period...). You run out of gas; train a little harder. You have trouble applying a certain technique; break it down into pieces and work on it piece by piece. You thought you would own the fight, but your ass was handed to you; ego will always beat you first so it is better to let it go. Facing your challenges makes you an effective person.

Taking challenges head on is the most important thing you can do in life. And always look for harder challenges, because that will help you grow better and faster than those who don't. Do not run away from or give up on the important fights; those kinds of losses stack up and follow you for the rest of your life.

Why the preach? Well, my problem is that I see people quit sometimes who had some potential. And not just BJJ, but other things too. I admit that I am not perfect either and I have my share of shame because I dropped the ball a few times. But I still try to keep myself in the pressure cooker, and so should they. Fight the hard fights. And remember to stay out on a limb, because that is where the fruit is.

Ous.

P.S. The opinions of others mean less than nothing when you are in control.