Some nights are like that

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[lbb]

"There were moments in my training, too many to count, when Sensei’s bokken came slashing at me and I thought with the merest periphery of my consciousness about the parry and counter. The center of my attention was taken with my own limitations, and I wondered how much more I could take. From the moment I had stepped into the dojo, I began a struggle with boundaries, imposed by my mind, that threatened and bullied at every step to overwhelm me…I fought a dozen duels with myself for every cut I made with the katana. Sometimes I won, sometimes not. The nights when I won over myself and pushed back the limitations a bit, I would jump down under the stone bridge in the park on my way home, full of confidence and contentment, rubbing my sore muscles briskly, reveling in the whole specialness of being a part of the classical martial arts. But there were other nights, many others, when I crept down under the bridge, tucked my arms around my legs, and stained the knees of my jeans with tears."

Dave Lowry, Autumn Lightning

Some nights are like that. I just have to hold that thought.

[crbateman]

I have a similar feeling every time I stand over a bunker shot on the golf course... ;) :D

[Gorgeous George]

"There were moments in my training, too many to count, when Sensei's bokken came slashing at me and I thought with the merest periphery of my consciousness about the parry and counter. The center of my attention was taken with my own limitations, and I wondered how much more I could take. From the moment I had stepped into the dojo, I began a struggle with boundaries, imposed by my mind, that threatened and bullied at every step to overwhelm me…I fought a dozen duels with myself for every cut I made with the katana. Sometimes I won, sometimes not. The nights when I won over myself and pushed back the limitations a bit, I would jump down under the stone bridge in the park on my way home, full of confidence and contentment, rubbing my sore muscles briskly, reveling in the whole specialness of being a part of the classical martial arts. But there were other nights, many others, when I crept down under the bridge, tucked my arms around my legs, and stained the knees of my jeans with tears."

Dave Lowry, Autumn Lightning

Some nights are like that. I just have to hold that thought.

Wow: that's pretty intense. Where/with whom did he train?

[hughrbeyer]

Or, more briefly: Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.

In my old age, I've learned that I'm actually learning more from the days where I'm the bug. Too many windshield days in a row make me nervous.

[Richard Stevens]

Wow: that's pretty intense. Where/with whom did he train?

Lowry started training at a pretty young age in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu under Ryokichi Kotaro. A real "Karate Kid" story...

[Mary Eastland]

Yes, some nights are like that.
Mary

[chris wright]

Some nights are like that......agreed, and some still are.
Dave Lowry, is an excellent author (and Budoka) I highly recommend his books.
'Whether one is building a cathedral or mastering a martial art, when something is worth doing, and worth doing well, time is not important'
Dave Lowry - Moving towards stillness