That picture, of two young guys hunched over and reading, is the greatest martial arts picture of all time. Well, at least for me it is. Weird, eh? I mean, you can’t see my face, the other fellow (Doug) doesn’t care about the shot, and we’re just hunched over trying to figure something out.
In the closets of certain old men you will find, hanging amongst the starched shirts, a fresh pressed gi. A karate uniform. Clean and ready to go. Guy might not have stepped out on the mat for twenty years, but there is something in the closet of his mind that is ready to rock and roll.
His youth was spent becoming a man. Sweating and snapping his muscles till he could hardly stand. Contesting in fiercest and most friendly manner with people he truly loved. And he did not want to put that youth away. He wants that gi, and it is always ready. What he learned, you see, is writ on his bones, and it is a hope and a contagion of competence that outshines the world.
In my favorite picture I am sweating to my core. Even my brain is sweating. And I am becoming the greatest martial arts writer in the history of the world. I have done the physical work, and I have found my friends in combat, and now it is time to record it.
These writings, that picture…they are the gi in my closet. They are my inspiration, and I wish only that the world would understand. I mean, a picture is worth a thousand words, so surely the greatest martial arts picture of all time should be worth a million words?
You can pick up a free ebook, maybe even a few pics in them, at MonsterMartialArts.com
Win #53
