Time Travel

If I could travel through time (without any weird sci-fi loopholes, butterfly effects, intricate ethical dilemmas, fixed assumptions about determinism vs. free will, etc.), I'd love to be able to show my students where their lives are headed. In particular, I'd love them to meet the person that they could become after 5, 10, or 20 years of martial arts training.

If you could meet that version of your future self, even maybe just see them for a little bit...

You'd never miss a class.

You'd rock every belt test and be at every event.

Every training partner would become your best friend.

You'd reorganize your entire life to ensure that you made the time to train.

You'd begin to exhibit qualities of your future self right now.

Your spirit would enhance every relationship and connection in your life.

People would notice something different about you.

Many might see you as calm and kind, yet with a deep reservoir of inner strength.

Everything in your life would feel like a lesson worth noting.

You'd meditate daily and it would never seem like wasted time.

With your mastery, stress wouldn't phase you for long.

During the rare times that you feel anger, it'd slip away more quickly.

When challenges arise, you'd roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Even when injured or sick, you'd find a way to turn things around.

You'd shatter obstacles with determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Others admire your tenacity, your passion, and your sense of purpose.

You'd see it as just another day in your life.

And just as you were given this gift, you'd encourage them to train with you.

And like I once did with you, when they seem hesitant and unsure about committing,

You'd want to be able to time travel too.

What I see in you is only a possible future, one which I think you'd love to have. I can't choose for you though. The path, as always, is still yours to walk. My role is encourage and guide you to actualize what we visualize.