168. Genchitaofu Baguazhang's Bingfa - 艮氣道福八卦掌の兵法 (2/4)

☳ The funny thing about the Art of War, in a not very funny way, is that when you are in it, you tend to learn it very fast and things have a way of changing perspectives very quickly. ☵ You learn strategies and then you try out strategies. Sometimes they work and at other times they don't. But through all that pain and violence we learn who we are. ☶ We gain an affinity with the poetries of war. With some of us even writing them before a major event to help us calm our nerves, steady our hands, and keep us on target. ☰ While the Universe may use our demons to attack where we are weakest, the constant focus on that area of our lives means that we do what we must to get stronger in that area. An example for me would be that at one point in my life, I had like most people that sit too much, severe back problems. It got so bad one time, that I found myself lying on the floor and making a deal with God that I would "climb the mountain finished". ☷ With the only condition on my part being that I would do it through kungfu. And so, long story made short, baguazhang became my chosen route. And for the most part, my back has been stronger than what it was when I was playing rugby for my high school. ☱ On to more recent times, and where I am weakest (like most people) is in the money and finances department. In particular, that thing we call cashflow. Sometimes I'm on profile and winning, but other times, it hurts more than I wish to experience. But I find ways to turn a negative situation into the fuel I need to do it like Jonah Lomu to my opponents. ☲ This constant backwards and forthing regarding the flow of money, means that a lot of martial artists are in the armed security business and relish the mercenary work involved. They understand when countries fight it out like gangsters in places that switch hands regularly. Because its all about the money for both sides: He who has the gold makes the rules. ☴ So when you hear things like World War Three is imminent, don't be fooled. That war ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union.