450. Protecting Yourself

As a way of training your memory in how to protect your face and head, touch your two elbows together in front of your face from time to time.

409. The Life of a Highwayman

In Post No. 408 the advice was to secure at least one academic qualification. Always bear in mind a piece of wisdom from the Jewish tradition that goes like this : "The man who fails to give his son a trade is preparing him for the life of a highwayman." This means that you should give your son all the education and training needed so that he can make a decent living honestly and with integrity. In your case, you are studying horsemanship, matrial arts, drama, typing and rugby. These are all disciplines that can provide you with a good living if you teach them once you have become proficient in them. You should do the same for your sons and daughters.

404. Being A Warrior

Be a brave warrior, courteous, chivalrous, kind and learned. Read, train and study all your life.

267. Training in the Martial Arts

The main principle of training is this :

If you do not consider a few minutes' training worthwhile and if you think the chance of being assaulted is small, then you are one of those people people who encourage thugs to attack. No-one will be able to help you should an emergency arise.

Strength, though used in a refined way, is necessary in combat. Learn also to move back and forth like the bamboo in order to dissolve the strong wind of the attack.

Neither gentleness nor firmness alone is enough. It is the two fitted together that form the Way.

224. Training

When training, deliberately place yourself in weak positions from time to time, e.g. on the ground and learn to fight from them (Tiger) so that if you find yourself in one in real combat you may still win

213. Train, Train, Train

Great performance comes from one thing, and one thing only - Training.

47. Worry

Worry is the twin sister of guilt. To worry is to use up the present moment being obsessed with the future. Like guilt, worry can be used to manipulate people. This is a favourite tactic of politicians when they want to get their own way. Bullies use it as a tactic too. Worry manufactures anxiety. 99.99% of the things we worry about never happen. Great thinkers, leaders inventors are not worriers. If you worry, it steals your time and immobilises you in the present with fearful thoughts about the future. Do not waste even 1 second worrying. If you assign a €1.00 value to a second of your life, then 1 day is equivalent to €84,000. Don't waste even 1 second - you might be glad of it some day. Worry will never prevent a tragedy, only sensible precautions will do that. Train and prepare for the worst case scenario then you will have everything covered.

The only value to worries is that they can motivate you to take action regarding the issue - if you're worried about exams then get busy studying !