I don't understand this talk about quitting. I also don't understand how a thread almost 14 years old got resurrected. If a thread can take a long leave of absence, only to return, I suppose one's training can, too. Like others here, I had a very long hiatus from real training and instruction. But even after 20+ years, I never considered myself having quit. I could still feel MA within me. It may have been semi-dormant only emerging on leap years, but never abandoned.
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Besides, how could I quit MA? One quits an activity. But karate was never an activity for me. From early on (1970 as a new black belt,)
karate was a place - a refuge, a home away from home, a fulfillment of spirit, a lifestyle, a family. How does one quit that??
Over the past few years, now that I'm fully engaged in it again, it has evolved as a primal urge. Quitting will happen only when I die in 10 or 15 years, if I'm lucky -- goin' on 70, now. Now, I know this is not true for everyone. For many (even on this forum), MA is just a great activity with lots of benefits. Nothing wrong with that. Perhaps some other pursuit has captured their soul.
This thread is nearly 14 years old. I was on the forum when it started. I began traditional martial arts back in the mid 70s. And at one point I did stop practicing for about 15 years. Life happens. When it comes to quitting, "never" is a long time.
No, I have
never thought of quitting. It has given me too much, and continues to give. I'm a lucky SOB. I think a few of you out there are, too.
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