“Life so short, the craft so long to learn.” (Hippocrates)
As you age, this phrase may have more impact. It’s very difficult for younger folks to realize how precious life is and respect how rapid it passes. Time runs; perceptions change – growing more keenly focused on a “lifetime”, whatever that is or how long.
The word “craft” is not often heard today. It seems old world; it’s generational inference and disjunction is massive. And though put on the back shelf of the rapidity of life today, it has not, itself, as a powerful word, lost anything – “craft” – oh to savor a word – for me, it would be “craft.”
Kung Fu is such a thing. Such a thing to savor – a true and pure, “craft.”
Very true words of Wisdom Master Baird. This reminds me of our Blue Belt Philosophy where we state that people are often caught up in the “result” rather than enjoying the “process” of becoming a Martial Artist. In Martial Arts as in Life we should learn to enjoy not just the “result” of our efforts but also learn to enjoy the “process” of our learning. It is through the process that we learn more about ourselves and it is the “process” makes us better students and better people. The result is only for the moment but the process lasts us a lifetime.
Truer words were never spoken
PGM Baird, I like the depth of what you are saying. Craft has fallen of the radar of our young students. But you have developed our “Craft” even if to our unawares by teaching us Kung Fu. A martialist learns the creative use of his hands and over time his craft becomes limitless. Reaching far beyond the dojo. Affecting multiple layers of our lives, families, friends, work, poetry, and spirit.
I am reminded more and more how precious each day is, and how much we can really do with each day if we make the time for our craft. Whether that’s kung fu, music, writing, photography. Great post sir!