To foster the spirit of effort
The focus of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate- Do is not to win, but to do our best and have discipline in every area of our lives. Our greatest battle is in our own minds and with our own bodies. We continually face outside forces that press against us, but when we can master our mind and body, we develop an inner strength that enables us to face our greatest battles and not allow them to defeat us.
When we feel like we cannot go on another step, our inner strength shows us that we can. We can press on one more step and then another. That is learned from the inner discipline and strength garnered from the spirit of effort. Doing our best, no matter what the circumstances. We do not compare our abilities to the person beside us, but we compare ourselves to what we were yesterday. Are we better than we were yesterday? Are we pushing ourselves further than we did yesterday? That is the battle and that is why in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do we encourage the spirit of effort.