At this moment in time I have covered all the things that I have wanted to write about regarding both the martial arts, which I was involved in as both student and teacher alike since the early 1970’s, and also many social issues that I have a passion about. Having said that of course I am sure a new writing project or subject will come along soon, but not today. Sadly however I often do think that all of the things I have written about, regarding social issues in the main, will never change anything in the end and that the future will be just the same for those yet to be born regardless of how people like myself try to highlight such things through our written work – but at least we tried. The subjects that I have covered in the past, with regard to being homeless or living in poverty for example, will never change in the future I fear but will continue to be a man-made curse for many generations to come. I use the term ‘man-made’ because it is in many cases down to rich men and women getting even richer by taking advantage of the poor and vulnerable in various ways. Sadly not all evil men carry a gun. Many wear just a business suit and carry a briefcase. How strange that those very self same people who force poverty on others and create homeless people are the very same people who make a donation to the vulnerable at Christmas time. The other subject that I also cover in addition to social issues, is of course, the martial arts. Although just limited to writing about the various combat arts in general these days I still take a great amount of interest in this subject even though I no longer teach students myself anymore. The funny thing is that the martial arts, and also many social issues, are often linked together at times when it comes to human nature. When it comes to those in the martial arts I still find it saddening, after all these years, that they will still waste their valuable time on such things as who is better than who and are more concerned with their image, and being serious minded all the time, than realising that there is far more to life than just being a martial art snob, (or a martial art racist as I call it in a catch all term way), over what students should wear within classes or what type of combat style is the best. This, of course, is not just limited to those in the martial arts but also people in society, as a whole, who come from various social backgrounds. Then there are those who, without even realising it in many cases, prefer to be the slaves of others by following their words of never ending wisdom or following some faith based belief that dictates many rules that they must follow without question, and in some extremist cases, they are told to kill non believers in the name of their silly little God. How sad that they do all of these things because they prefer to be a slave to others rather than think for themselves. On the subject of words of wisdom – does that really make any true difference in the end? Does following anything of that nature, be it spiritual or religious in nature, make any true difference at all? I am aware, of course, that words of wisdom, just like religion, does give some meaning and comfort to people but don’t you find that it contradicts itself most of the time? Never walk away from those in need some words of wisdom will say while other words of wisdom will say the total opposite and say walk away from those who drag you down. With such contradicting terms being given out all the time, maybe we would all be better off without them in the end and save ourselves a load of needless confusing headaches? Maybe, just maybe, working things out for yourself rather than listening to what other people constantly say, to you and others, everyday is the best way forward rather than being told what you can or cannot do all the time – unless of course you are not able to think for yourself or are more than happy to be other people’s emotional and verbal slave? Anyway as already stated from the beginning I really do not have anything to say at this point in time but for the benefit of those who just love a Christmas message to end the year on, all I will say is, that life is here to have fun with, to be silly over so make each moment count doing just that. Never grow up and never grow old is probably the only true words of wisdom that you will ever need because sadly one day your time will come and all of those magical moments will be gone forever so why waste time on what others say? You cannot turn the clock back and recapture all those magical and special moments, and all those chances that you let slip by, because others told you not to – so grab every single moment with both hands while you can and forget about all that dogma and false wisdom that others want you to follow, and believe in yourself and your own wisdom from now on. Listening to endless words of wisdom and constantly wishing for a better future, or hoping you are worthy of some sort of reward in the afterlife, is just simply a childish illusion that will change nothing in the end, when your time comes, so be you and not what others demand of you. As already stated a couple of times now I really do have got nothing to say at this moment in time but on a final note for those involved in the martial arts, or any other job of work within society for that matter, – lighten up, have fun and be silly. Forget about your serious martial art image or your snobbish, I am better than you, social status. Non of those things have value when you are dead and gone. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Dave J. Lomas (UK) This article was first written and published in December 2016  |
