You Have a Chance

MARTIAL ARTS USA^®

YOU HAVE A CHANCE

By: Professor John E. Chambers

IF I COULD DO THINGS OVER, WHAT WOULD I DO DIFFERENTLY?

I can only speak for myself, but I know that, on a number of occasions, I have made the statement; “if I had my life to live over, I would do this, or do that!”

Being born into a dysfunctional family and raised in poverty, I accept the fact that much of my life was pre-destined because of the family environment that I was (by fate), destined to belong.

Opportunity for success was never a part of the picture or concern of my parents. Survival, of the fittest, was more like it!

From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be a medical doctor, (Family Physician). College was never an option for any of my older brothers or sister.

I was the youngest of six, and watched my siblings go on to menial jobs, after high-school.

For a chance at a formal education, I joined the Air Force right out of high-school, so I could get the GI-Bill and attend college, after my four-year tour.

I married my high-school sweetheart, and fathered two children before I enrolled at a Junior-College for two years. I then tackled the University System and as God knows, I did everything in my power to find the strength and financial means to fulfill my goal and my dream.

In and out of one university after another, I sought the financial help needed to make it to, and through medical school. Fate was not in my corner, causing much hardships on myself, my wife and children. The extreme demands were taking it’s toll on my health.

I was attending classes all day, and then working the 3:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. shift on the assembly line at General Motors. That left no time for my studies. I spent many nights studying until time for class, next A.M.

Nearing the end of my quest, I will never forget the President of the university that I was attending, called me into his office and made the statements; “John, I have been watching you struggle to fulfill your dream of becoming a doctor!”... “I have seen the toll it is taking on both you and you’re family!” ... “You can not continue to punish yourself any longer, when the odds are just not in your favor!”

I had come to the realization that with the economy in such poor shape, finding financial help (grants or loans) was just not possible.

I did what I had to do! For the sake of my health, and the toll this had taken on my family, I terminated my enrollment at the university, took my family, and moved back to my home state.

Martial arts was very much a part of my life, and I am convinced, that my studies of the arts, restored my mental and physical stability. It gave me something to keep me driven and motivated.

I entered the law-enforcement field, where I have remained for the past thirty-five years. During that time, I also remained very active in my martial arts.

Some things in our lives, we have no control over. Fate and destiny deals us a hand, that we must learn to play, or at least cope with!

If I could change anything in my life as a martial artist, I would have realized sooner, that politics, name-calling, back-stabbing, jealousy, and greed, have no place in our world.

Martial Artists in general are a very close family, regardless of what art, system, or association you are tied to.

I came up in the martial arts in the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, with my lower rank belts, and my early ranked black belts. I never witnessed any form of politics back then. We all trained for the same reasons, and we literally helped each other survive. When I say survive, that is exactly what I mean, because the training was fierce, physical, and sometimes brutal. I say brutal, because my aching muscles, and bones were telling me that!

As a lower rank student, I was used most of the time as the Uki, by senior ranked black belts. Once a senior black belt noticed that you were a good Uki, they latched on to you, and from that point on, you were their punching bag.

There was never any intentional abuse, but the demands placed upon the Uki were for the most part, extremely physical and demanding.

I made up my mind, that I was going to be the best yudo / judo ukemi (break-fall artist) on the face of the earth. I knew, that if I could take the falls, day in and day out, I would come to know every move of the masters, how they made their entry, how the fit to the body, how they rotated, where their legs and feet were placed, and how they made the final move to execute each throw.

I memorized their every move, until I knew them by heart, like having a video image burned into my brain. In those days, there was no video. As a matter of fact, the old 8mm movie camera had not even been invented yet. The only photos available, were from the old “Brownie Hawk-Eye” camera. No action photo ever turned out less than a blur.

I have never allowed politics, bickering, name calling or greed, to enter my martial arts world. I do everything possible, short of having my integrity challenged, to remain friends with every martial artist or association that I come in contact with. There are occasions however, when no matter how hard you try to remain neutral and/or how much crow you are willing to eat, (to stay neutral), there will always be some lone “horses-ass”, who will try to disrupt the peace and harmony!

There is a vast difference between martial artists of today, and those of thirty-years ago. Commercialization and greed have changed things. Everybody now a days are a “Master” , “Grandmaster” or “Soke” ! I even see a number of father & son grandmasters. It is not unusual to see grandmasters in their 20’s, strutting around at various events with their blood-red belts of honor! Many of which are not qualified to shine the shoes of a “real” Grandmaster or Soke.

Here I am talking about peace, harmony, no name calling and greed, and at the same time, I am not practicing what I preach! God forgive me for allowing my emotions to run away with my mouth. I will strive to do better.

I read some thoughts of Emma Bombeck, linked them to my own, and would like to share:

If I could live my life over, I would be more understanding of other peoples opinions or ideas.
I would talk less, and listen more.
I would find the time to listen to the elderly talk about their youth.
I would have driven more with my car windows down, so I could feel the breeze blow through my hair, and allow my nostrils to inhale nature’s fragrance.
I would have burned more of the sculptured candles that I allowed to melt from the heat in my storage.
I would have sat on the lawn and played more with my children, and not worry about the grass-stains.
I would have laughed and cried less at movies and trivial things, and more while watching life.
I would have gone to bed more when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern, if I weren’t there for the day.
I would never have bought things, just because they were practical, or guaranteed to last a life-time.
Instead of complaining or wishing away the nine-months of my wife’s pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment, realizing that the wonderment growing inside her, was our only chance in life, to assist God in a miracle.
When my children kissed me impetuously, I would never again say; “later, now go get washed up for supper!” There would be more; “I love yous”... More “I’m sorrys, and I would live every minute of my life, seize more of it, and never give it back! I would not allow boredom or depression lead me to an early death.
I would never be afraid to experiment.
I would invite my cherished friends over more often, and I would use my home to live in, rather than worry about everything being so neat, in place, for show, or exposed to soil.
I would slow down and stop to smell the roses!
I would give God more of my time for his work, and allow His Will be done in my life.
I would reverence God, and fear no man.

Professor John E. Chamber

[ Links ] [ Professor's Corner ] [ News Letter ] [Jujutsu Requirements Page ] [ Membership Guidelines ] [ Photo Page ] [Bios Page] [Lineage] [Board of Advisors]