– A parent asks another:
“Why do you spend so much money with training, tournaments and always running around to make your child learn how to fight?”
– The other parent responds:
“Well, I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for my child to learn to fight.”
– The first parent, replies:
“Then, if you don’t pay for him/her to fight, what are you paying for?”

Well, responds the athlete’s father, I pay for those moments when my child is so tired and exhausted that he/she feels like quitting, but doesn’t. I pay for him/her to learn to persevere through adversity.

I pay the opportunity that my child has to have long lasting friendships. I pay for the opportunity that he/she can have to be surrounded by incredible trainers and positive like-minded individuals who will teach him/her not only Martial Arts and Self-Defense on the mats, but about the Fight of Life.

I also pay for my child to learn to be more disciplined. I pay so my child learns to take care of his/her body and understand that without eating properly, his/her body cannot perform well. I pay so my child learns to work in a group setting and be a proud, gentle and respectful member of the team.

I pay so my child learns to deal with disappointment. That when he/she doesn’t win or misses a move, despite having practiced it thousands of times, still lifts his/her head up high and stays determined to do better the next time around.

I pay for my child to “fight” Martial Arts so he/she learns to set and achieve goals. I pay for him/her to learn that it takes hours, hours and more hours of hard work, practice and dedication, to build a champion, and that success doesn’t happen overnight. I pay so my child can be on the mat, instead of being involved in wrong doings.

I could go on and on, but to be brief; I don’t pay for my child to train or “fight.” I pay for the opportunities that Martial Arts provide for my child to develop attributes that will serve for rest of his/her life. Attributes that will also give him/her the opportunity to bless the life of others who come in touch with him/her.

“The way I see it, I’m investing in my child’s life; this is what I can leave for my child and for society.”

*inspired by Crosley Gracie

Come down and check out our Kids karate, Youth Karate and Life Skills driven Martial Arts classes in our Parklands, Christchurch club.