Eye Square Martial Arts

Cultural Preservation… with Bruises (sometimes).

Tag: Mindset

  • The Warrior’s Declaration

    The Warrior’s Declaration

    I. Introduction

    July marks our nation’s boldest pledge—and it’s the perfect moment to make one for your training.
    Just as the Founders set forth a clear statement of purpose, you can craft a “Warrior’s Declaration of Intent” that clarifies why you train, what you value, and exactly how you’ll hold yourself accountable. In this guide, you’ll borrow the structure of the U.S. Declaration of Independence to build your own martial-arts mission statement—complete with a preamble, guiding principles, a list of obstacles, and concrete resolutions. By putting pen to parchment (or digital to screen), you cement your commitment and set the stage for real progress.

    II. The Structure of the Declaration

    We’ll mirror the Declaration’s four key parts:

    1. Preamble (“When in the Course…”)
      This is where you state your fundamental purpose. Example: “When in the course of one’s training it becomes necessary to reaffirm the pillars of discipline and self-reliance…”
    2. Declaration of Rights (“We hold these truths…”)
      Define 3–5 core principles you hold as inviolable:
      • Consistency: “That all true warriors train with regularity…”
      • Resilience: “That perseverance in the face of failure is indispensable…”
      • Precision: “That clean technique reflects a clear mind…”
    3. List of Grievances (“He has…”)
      Call out the specific obstacles that have thwarted you:
      • “He has allowed fatigue to excuse missed sessions.”
      • “He has let distraction fracture focus during practice.”
      • “He has rationalized shortcuts at the expense of form.”
    4. Resolutions (“We, therefore, the undersigned…”)
      Commit to 3–5 SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound:
      • “I will complete five minutes of solo stick drills every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the next six weeks.”
      • “I will perform 100 shadow-boxing reps each morning before work.”
      • “I will record my training sessions twice weekly and review technique with a partner or mentor.”

    III. Crafting Your Declaration

    Follow this simple four-step process:

    1. Draft Your Preamble
      Write 1–2 sentences stating why you train.
    2. Define Your Rights
      List your top 3–5 training values—think of each like a personal credo.
    3. List Your Grievances
      Be honest about the habits, excuses, or limitations that hold you back.
    4. State Your Resolutions
      Convert each grievance into a positive, actionable commitment with clear metrics and deadlines.

    Example Preamble:
    “When in the course of my martial-arts journey it becomes necessary to declare the indispensable truths of discipline and self-reliance…”

    Example Right:
    “That consistent practice is the birthright of every dedicated student…”

    Example Grievance:
    “He has surrendered practice time to social media’s pull.”

    Example Resolution:
    “I will log into my training journal before and after each session for the next 30 days.”

    IV. Signing & Posting

    A declaration means nothing if it lives buried in a notebook. Make it real:

    • Sign in Ink: Physically sign and date your parchment or printout.
    • Display: Hang it on your wall, mirror, or training bag.
    • Share: Photograph your declaration and post it to social media or your dojo group—use #WarriorsDeclaration for accountability.
    • Check-Ins: Set weekly reminders (e.g., in your phone or dojo calendar) to review your resolutions and track progress.

    V. Conclusion & Call to Action

    This July, join a community of martial artists who aren’t just practicing—they’re declaring their intent. Write your “Warrior’s Declaration” by July 7, share it proudly, and let your own words propel you toward true self-reliance. Ready to sign on the dotted line?

    Here’s a printable version so you can write your Warrior’s Declaration here

  • The Self-Protection Toolbox: Why Self-Defense Isn’t Just Fighting

    The Self-Protection Toolbox: Why Self-Defense Isn’t Just Fighting

    When I first started martial arts, I was a young man with borderline-high blood pressure and very little understanding of what violence actually looked like. The school I joined had a section of its curriculum labeled “Self-Defense Techniques,” and being the naïve student I was, I assumed that because I was learning martial arts, I was learning self-defense.

    Fast forward about ten years, and I came across Meditations on Violence by Rory Miller. That book hit me like a freight train. It forced me to reckon with the fact that I knew next to nothing about real self-defense—let alone the broader and more accurate concept of self-protection (a term that reaches far beyond just physical skills, and yes, self-defense is a legal term, not a tactical one).

    As I’ve explored in previous parts of this series, protecting yourself and others is about much more than knowing how to throw a punch.

    At the highest level, it begins with mindset:

    • Understanding why and where violence happens
    • Knowing what you’re willing to die for—or go to prison for

    Below that, you have conduct—how you move through the world:

    • The way you dress
    • What tools or gear you carry
    • How you carry yourself
    • Your ability to maintain awareness
    • Your willingness to enforce your boundaries

    With the right mindset and conduct, you can avoid the vast majority of violent situations. Most predators look for easy targets. If you don’t make yourself one, they’ll likely move on.

    But avoidance isn’t always possible. When conflict still arises, that’s when specific skillsets come into play:

    • Situational awareness
    • Emotional regulation (especially under stress)
    • Interpersonal skills and de-escalation tactics

    And only when all else fails do we fall back on physical force. Even then, it’s not just about “winning”—you also have to navigate the legal aftermath of a violent encounter.

    One of the cruel ironies of self-protection is this:

    The simpler the tool, the more often it’s needed.
    The more complex the skill, the less likely you’ll use it.

    It takes just a few seconds to think about how you dress and present yourself. But building the physical and emotional skills to handle a violent encounter might take years. And understanding the legal landscape? That could take a lifetime.

    This series exists to help you build a complete toolbox—mental, emotional, physical, and legal—for self-protection. Because being prepared doesn’t mean being violent.

    It means being ready.

    Want to build your own self-protection toolbox? Start with Part I: Flipping the Switch.