Got this off the web, credits due to the author, Black Knight.
5 Things I Learned About Life From Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
By Black Knight
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling sport that focuses on
takedowns, ground fighting, and self-defense designed to subdue a
stronger opponent. Most current jiu-jitsu originates from the Gracie
family, several of whom dominated the early days of mixed martial arts
fighting. Royce Gracie won 3 of the first 4 UFCs with jiu-jitsu, leading
to its wide recognition as one of the most effective forms of martial
arts.
This article is not about jiu-jitsu’s prowess as a fighting style,
but rather how it can benefit your life in immeasurable ways. These are
five things it has led me to discover:
1. Failure is inescapable
Are you on the path to achieving your dreams? If not, I guarantee
that it is because you are terrified of failure. To improve at
jiu-jitsu, you must put yourself in a life-or-death position literally
hundreds of times in your first few months as a white belt. Tapping out
to someone says “I acknowledge that my physical safety is completely in
your hands,” a difficult admission for most to accept.
Affliction-wearing meatheads wash out quickly because they cannot stand
the blow to their egos. Jiu-jitsu teaches you to manage the humiliation
and emotional dump that comes with failure. Failing at jiu-jitsu
desensitizes you to failing in life, the only way you can begin to
succeed.
2. There is always someone better than you
Whether your passion includes game, fitness, athleticism, writing, or
fighting, jiu-jitsu forces you to accept that you are never the master
of your craft. How many times have you seen a gorgeous girl on the arms
of a toady guy, only to hear your friends talk derisively about how his
luck or money are the only reasons for his success? It is a loser’s
mindset to hate on someone because they are superior to you at
something. Respecting and acknowledging mastery comes with exposure to
the red pill mindset, and with exposure to jiu-jitsu as well.
3. There are no shortcuts
It is well-established that experts in any field are made through
thousands of hours of deliberate practice. Some people are better
natural athletes or learn moves faster, but the true beasts at my gym
are the guys who have put in the longest hours on the mat. Learning
jiu-jitsu emphasizes the dedication necessary to achieve proficiency in
any area. You can passively await a one-in-a-million stroke of luck, or
you can take ownership of your position today and begin logging the
hours required for mastery.
4. Your body is your greatest physical possession
Once you see the wondrous things you can do with it, it will deeply
trouble you how little most people respect theirs. I ate well and worked
out regularly before I began training, but seeing what some people can
do on the mat drives me to optimize all aspects of my health. Older guys
say that you only realize how much of a gift your body is when it
begins to break down. I believe them and want to delay that process.
Jiu-jitsu helps to redefine your commitment to your own body on a daily
basis, amidst a population that is 2/3 overweight or obese.
5. Your daily grind matters less than you think
The Fight Club narrator insists that fighting turns down the volume
on the rest of your life. This is true. Once you are put within a hair’s
breadth of serious injury on a regular basis, nagging things in your
life lose significance. Lost your job? You’ll find another one. Girl not
interested in you? No big deal, there’s plenty more. Having to modulate
your stress level under extreme duress rewires your brain, giving you
the ice in the veins required to excel in any competitive environment. Jiu-jitsu is a beautiful art, one I would encourage anyone to try.
Gym owners may try to sell jiu-jitsu or other martial arts as necessary
to defend yourself in fights or prevent bullying, but this is a tertiary
benefit at best. More importantly, from its lessons on failure,
dedication, prioritization, and mastery, Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches you
how to become a better man.
http://www.returnofkings.com/7400/5-things-i-learned-about-life-from-brazilian-jiu-jitsu
