In my youth, I watched Batman, Superman and other super heroes that inspired me and gave me an imaginary strength, confidence and creative outlet. In my teens, martial arts became a very real thing to me and a life's pursuit to not only learn how to defend myself, but a path which led me to become a martial arts master in my later years. In my 20s, my body was tuned in as a competitor and full-time teacher. Energy was never an issue and I felt as if I could do anything I wanted to. In my thirties, I started to refine my techniques to be more efficient and use less energy. This was in part from all of the crazy stuff I did in my twenties and teen years and the many bumps and bruises that added to my body and their lasting effects. In my forties, I noticed a big change in every motion that I use in life itself and not just in the arts. Now as I approach my 50s, wow.
With that said, years of practice, studies and teaching, I learned how to make adjustments and still remain effective with a little twist . . . more experience. The other night, I had a young man use some foul language with me after he had a few cocktails and assumed that he was either Batman or Superman. When told that he should watch his language, I got the response, "Relax old man."
Now, imagine if you will, a movie that instantly plays in your head of the many years of techniques that you have perfected and the embarrassment that you could cause this young man while his friends witness him being spanked by an "old man."
Of course, being a respectful Christian man and certainly a very unassuming and non-violent person, I allowed this "super hero" to go about his business and enjoy his moment of puffed-out chest and glory and go about his way to a long night of false confidence and eventually vomiting into some strange toilet.
My point is directed to all of the young men (super heroes) that feel as if the only thing that can destroy them is kryptonite, beware. Be extra careful who you call old man or try to draw into a fight. You, in your 21 or 22 years, have not drawn enough experience to match many of the so-called "old men" around you. We live in a community of war veterans and professionally trained "old men" that would certainly teach you that manners are very important. Pull your pants up so that I don't see your dirty underwear, wear a belt, straighten your hat to fit your head properly, read a dictionary and learn what we refer to as the English language. Be polite to everyone that you encounter and, most of all, take pride in yourself and remember that the guy that you just called old man may have either killed many in the jungles of Vietnam, drove a tank in World War II, took out terrorists in Afghanistan or had 40 years of martial arts embedded in his entire being. Keep this article in your wallet as a constant reminder and pull it out when you reach your forties and thank me for all the suffering that I spared you from these words of wisdom.
God Bless the old men that have a smile on their face right now and God Bless the young ones that will in another 20 years.
Steve Hunter
South Williamsport
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
