There are various benefits in tournament participation. One would be the experience of a social atmosphere.
At an AMA Challenge, participants discover their community, beyond their dojo. They meet more people with common values and witness how training impacts the world around them. We all come together, contribute who we are and work to unify our community. We’re encouraged to balance ourselves by working with others to improve. Participation is a step towards finding balance of who you are, where you belong and what you want to contribute. Stretch your limits and experience the community at large. If you’re striving with determination, then join the community to be with determined people and flourish simultaneously.
Entering the ring assigned, you don’t know who you’ll meet or what skills you’ll encounter, but you share the experience with everyone there. That person looks as nervous as I feel. I guess I’m not alone. If they do their best, then so will I.
Even by volunteering (to sign people in, as an uke or a coordinator), you meet people you haven’t met in a long time and reconnect. With shared values and goals, you have a common ground for socialization and are inclined to share yourself. Didn’t I see them at the banquet? Wow! We’re in this together. It’s great to see them again.
Being gathered with people you don’t know, but sharing the same rank helps to expand perspective beyond yourself. There are so many others striving for the same goal. I guess I’m truly not alone. Competing isn’t about what we think people see, it’s about what we give and aim to receive. We’re all open to give what we can and contribute to what we believe in.
So, to everyone considering tournament participation- Come on out and join the social atmosphere! Enjoy the community while it’s here! Wouldn’t you be happy experiencing the full capacity of the community you joined? Isn’t it invigorating to know that you’re not alone? Wouldn’t you enjoy being together with others who are like you?
Blog by Astrid Hardjana-Large
https://astridswords.ca/