BEING A TEACHER
I have been a student of the martial arts since the summer of 1968 always looking for those things that compliment me. I have been a teacher of FMA since 1973 when I was approached to share what I had learned along the way. I never entered into this realm by choice. I have stumbled , crawled, and felt my way around trying to replicate what I had done so my students could find their truths.
Many students have come to me- stayed for several years and then walked on. Tho they have learned a lot and have learned to learn, they don't see the picture that is in front of them. Martial arts isn't for everyone. Jobs, Family, and careers have more importance and rightly so.
But- something my mother instilled in me as a young man has stayed with me. She said " You do what you have to do, to do what you want to do". My family never had much money, I grew up in a tough time. But, when I wanted to play music, I worked my butt of to get the money to buy an electric guitar and amp. I spent a lot of time sittng and playing and playing and playing and I became pretty good at it. I was in a band that toured with Bob Seger, The Frost , and even backed up the Animals. I still play today.
I was 19 before I ever got a car ( a beat up 62 Buick LeSabre)I always wanted a Corvette Sting Ray. I knew I would never have one so- I learned to work Fiberglass and made my own sportscar.
The cabin I grew up in was full of hand me down furniture and clothes. One day I wanted to have a nice clutter free and matched motif home. ( still workin on that one). I did the competition circuit for many years- I gave up swimming, camping, and dating to get recognization for my art. I accomplished that.Bottom line is, I had goals and I gave up time and energy to achieve what I wanted.
As I go on after so many years, I have been looking to pass the torch. Seems like no one wants it. So I will just keep plugging along doing what I have done and waiting for the person who sees the value in the art that I teach.
Seems today that there are only people who want what they want when they want it. Not many that will stay the course and take on the responsibility of caretaking the old ways and continuing the lineage.
Don't get me wrong, I have had many students that have excelled and have made me quite proud of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. But when asked to give back, or to link, or even to support- they turn their backs.
Their loss. Still, the door is open. I know someone will see the value.
Many students have come to me- stayed for several years and then walked on. Tho they have learned a lot and have learned to learn, they don't see the picture that is in front of them. Martial arts isn't for everyone. Jobs, Family, and careers have more importance and rightly so.
But- something my mother instilled in me as a young man has stayed with me. She said " You do what you have to do, to do what you want to do". My family never had much money, I grew up in a tough time. But, when I wanted to play music, I worked my butt of to get the money to buy an electric guitar and amp. I spent a lot of time sittng and playing and playing and playing and I became pretty good at it. I was in a band that toured with Bob Seger, The Frost , and even backed up the Animals. I still play today.
I was 19 before I ever got a car ( a beat up 62 Buick LeSabre)I always wanted a Corvette Sting Ray. I knew I would never have one so- I learned to work Fiberglass and made my own sportscar.
The cabin I grew up in was full of hand me down furniture and clothes. One day I wanted to have a nice clutter free and matched motif home. ( still workin on that one). I did the competition circuit for many years- I gave up swimming, camping, and dating to get recognization for my art. I accomplished that.Bottom line is, I had goals and I gave up time and energy to achieve what I wanted.
As I go on after so many years, I have been looking to pass the torch. Seems like no one wants it. So I will just keep plugging along doing what I have done and waiting for the person who sees the value in the art that I teach.
Seems today that there are only people who want what they want when they want it. Not many that will stay the course and take on the responsibility of caretaking the old ways and continuing the lineage.
Don't get me wrong, I have had many students that have excelled and have made me quite proud of their abilities, skills, and accomplishments. But when asked to give back, or to link, or even to support- they turn their backs.
Their loss. Still, the door is open. I know someone will see the value.
posted by Buzz Smith at 8:24 AM
2 comments
