The annals of Human history, if nothing else, highlight the common struggle of our species. Biblically or biologically, Life fights because it must. Evolution, sacred or secular is an ongoing struggle, a tooth and nail battle to survive. Whether we walked out of the Garden of Eden or the savannas of Africa, our trek was one of turmoil and trouble. The great rose of Life is full of prickly thorns. Some succor, and a good bit of sucking. Life is a fight.
Recently, a parent pulled her children from a Tae Kwon Do school near my home. Lambasting the process of “physical fighting” and “rough combat” the parent angrily removed the kids from the school in protest. Theorizing, apparently, that they had inadvertently enrolled the youngsters in a Korean folk-dancing class and not a Martial Arts Academy, they refused to participate any further. So, NO black belt!
Though the parents absolutely have the right to remove their children at will, what exactly were they thinking? They attended the Black Belt program for the past four years and as they readied themselves for the final testing, full-contact-sparring was introduced into the workouts. Students donned head gear, chest pads and gloves in preparing to trade punches and kicks. Under the watchful eye of a Tae Kwon Do Master, the equally matched students test their forms, fighting skills and philosophy of honor and compassion. Those that successfully blend the three are certified as Black Belts; there are no handouts. Sweat, blood and muscle aches entitle you, nothing else.
It makes me wonder of the declining attitudes towards Life. When did we start handing out trophies for last place? When did inculcating the belief that you win just for showing up take root? Have we become such a Nanny-Society that the truth of Life’s struggle is covered-over with participatory ribbons and golden stars? Why do we lie to our children about winners and losers? What use is self esteem if it is rooted in deception? What good is a Black Belt if you haven’t earned it?
From my birth with a harelip to my dealings as a young boy with a Catholic priest, to my Father’s suicide and the note he left blaming me, to the nightmares of Hurricane Katrina’s destructive aftermath and the concerns for the future that we all face, I wouldn’t trade one moment of my uphill climb, nor would I take a downhill if you gave it to me. I am one of the luckiest people I know.
Life, in its bountiful magnificence, is a struggle. You get smacked down, to stand up and square your shoulders yet again, you spit out a bit of blood, asking of Fate with a smile on your face “is that all you got?” Take a punch, give a punch, pick up and move forward.
That it can be frightening is what makes it fantastic. Life is a fight; nothing is either fair or free and that’s it’s ultimate, sublime beauty.
To the parents who pulled their children from Tae Kwon Do…good riddance.
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We have a new society that is far removed from natural law and nature. We have an entire generation, maybe two that have purchased all it owns, knows, and is comfortable with that. We purchased the idea of consumerism and outsourced basic skills for survival and community and with it came the demise of instinct, struggle and balance.
We polish the veneer of our success but have no idea what lies beneath.
Why try hard when you can simply buy it?