Focus
Once, a king was riding through his kingdom and came to a region he had never visited before. As he looked around, he noticed an arrow stuck in a tree perfectly in the center of a painted target. A bullseye, he thought, impressed. As he continued, he saw another arrow, also right in the center of a target painted on a tree. Then another, and another."This must be the work of a remarkable archer!" the king said to himself. "Someone who can focus like this must have trained for years. I must meet this master of focus and discipline." He rode into the nearby village and asked a man, “Who shot those arrows so perfectly? I’d like to meet this incredible archer.” The man smiled and pointed to a house in the village. The king sent one of his servants to knock on the door. When a man opened it, the king asked, “Are you the one who shot those arrows?” The man bowed and said, “My apologies, Your Majesty. If I’ve broken the law, I accept full responsibility.” The king, surprised, replied, “Not at all! On the contrary I deeply admire your skill. Hitting the center every time shows incredible focus. You have my full respect.” Relieved and smiling, the man said, “With all due respect, my king, it wasn’t me. It was my ten-year-old daughter.” He gently nudged forward a shy girl who had been hiding behind him. The king was astonished.“ You did that?” he asked. “How did you manage to hit the bullseye every time?” Blushing, the girl softly said, “ I just shoot arrows randomly. And when one hits a tree, I draw a target around it with my chalk... But I promise I won’t do it again.”
Food for thought
In martial arts, true mastery isn't shown by certificates on the wall or long lists of titles. A true teacher is not measured by what he says about himself, but by what he brings out in others. The greatest instructors speak quietly through their discipline, calm presence, and the development of their students.So don’t be too impressed by a “perfect bullseye.” Look closely: was it the result of years of discipline and focus, or just a target drawn afterward? A true martial artist sees beyond appearances. He seeks authenticity, humility, and the silent strength that needs no praise.
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