(Approx 2 minute 10 second read)

Years ago, while I was living in the UK, someone trespassed into my garden. I heard a noise and went outside to investigate. There he was, perched in a tree. I gave him a piece of my mind, to which he shouted back, ‘Come and get me, old man!’ So I did. Let’s just say, I think he regretted it.
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Age is a relentless opponent. It slows our reflexes, dims our fire, and forces us to confront the choices we’ve made. For martial artists, this truth is both humbling and profound.
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Among the most sobering realizations that comes with age is how life humbles you. In the early stages of training, youthful exuberance may lead you to believe in your invincibility. Yet with time, and the lessons it brings, you come to understand your limitations.
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Recently, I watched a news video of a store owner being attacked by two youths armed with a wrench. They overpowered him and stole the cash register.
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Watching this made me think that despite decades of martial arts training, it made me realize how vulnerable I – and others in my age group – can be when faced with younger, faster, and stronger attackers.
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It’s a stark reminder of how time changes not just our bodies but the dynamics of confrontation. What might have once been a manageable challenge now feels daunting. The techniques that used to flow effortlessly demand far more effort. I’m usually carrying some injury or strain which I gained just by getting out of bed in the morning.
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As we age, we are no longer driven by the desire to conquer, but rather to understand, we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities as sources of strength. True proficiency lies not in the perfection of technique, but in the acceptance of imperfection.
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This shift in perspective is mirrored in how we view time itself. The hours once squandered on trivial pursuits are now treasured as finite resources. Training sessions become not just about honing skills but also reflecting on life’s fragility.
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Each kata, each drill, every repetition, serves as a reminder of fading youth and the inevitability of aging. Yet, rather than lamenting the passage of time, we can embrace it as an integral part of the journey.
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Aging doesn’t mean surrendering; it means adapting. It means finding ways to compensate for lost speed and strength with wisdom, timing, and awareness.
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The attack on the store owner is a lesson in preparedness. Self-defense is not just about knowing techniques – it’s about acknowledging vulnerabilities, making peace with them, and understanding that awareness and de-escalation are just as important as physical skill, regardless of age.
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Through years of training and self-analysis, we come to understand the inherent fragility of human existence and the importance of living with intention. True strength, as time teaches us, lies not in dominating others but in mastering ourselves.
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This is life’s final lesson, and perhaps its most powerful one. To age with grace, to continue training with purpose, and to accept our imperfections with humility – this is where we find fulfillment.
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And let me make this clear: aging may slow me down, but it hasn’t stopped me yet. So, to any would-be attackers out there, just know – old age and treachery will always outsmart youth and enthusiasm.
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Written by Adam Carter – Shuri Dojo