Other Meanings

Parin Majewski; FJJA

Jukido Jujitsu - The way of gentle flowing power. When you look at it with the naked eye that's all that you might see. But when you look a little bit closer, a little bit deeper, what you'll find is unimaginable, something that only a few people in a life time will find. I'm lucky and glad that I was able to find it.

Every time I step into the dojo, bow and "ossu!" with respect and dedication I get butterflies in my stomach, while my mind thrills with excitement wondering what’s in store for me today. If I succeed in what I'm doing or fail with misery, I know that I tried my hardest -- even when my hardest may not have seemed good enough, I know it was. Then when I realized what happened, I think of it as a test. Well, actually I know it was a test because I enjoy what I'm doing and isn't life always testing you to prove to yourself that you really enjoy what you say you're enjoying? Everyday and every class there is a bar already set for you, to see if you can reach it and make it higher. To see how long you can take it or how far you'll go with it. But none of it depends on "it," only yourself. Whether or not you want to go far or if you want to reach that high.

I do my best to attend every Jukido class I can and now that the summer is here I'm exceeding more and more each class. Every minute I'm working I feel the bar raising higher and higher until it's too far out of reach -- but not too far to think about conquering it. When I say conquering I don't mean conquering and it's over because there is always something new and fresh to conquer. But when I say conquering I meant it for the material I am engaged on and also for everyday life. Almost everything done inside of the dojo helps for daily life - in past, present, and future. That's were the seven codes of bushido come in. You may not notice it, but these words are used every day and their meanings are priceless. The more you use them, the better the Jukido-ka you are and the more your spirit increases. By attending every class possible I've grown to realize I have been fortunate over the past year since I first started studying jujitsu - I'm fortunate now and for the future. Many people don't get to join a traditional martial arts dojo and be around so many students who are as dedicated and committed as oneself.

Since the summer is here, you aren't only exceeding in what you do but there is also the summer contest at our dojo. The dojo's summer contest is held every year and the student with best attendance gets to choose a prize at the end of the summer. Of course, everyone gets excited and starts talking about winning the prizes you could win if you get the best attendance. Unfortunately, there might be some students who only care about winning and attending class daily to receive the prize and the prize alone. So when they miss a class or two they get bummed because winning was everything. Winning isn't everything, only unless you know you've won on the inside. At the end of the contest, receiving a samurai sword or a new gi is a great prize, but just being able to come to Jukido every day and enjoy what you're doing is a prize itself! You determine if you've won or not - by your spirit and dedication. You only and no one else. The summer contest hasn't ended at our dojo yet, but from the inside of myself I know that I've already won.