Robert Jones
Robert Jones is ranked as a Master in Kempo Kung Fu and is an expert in training and teaching Kung Fu and Self Defense. He has 20 years experience teaching adults in the art of Kung Fu. He has three schools one in Bellevue, Kent, and Lynnwood Washington. He can be reached at 800-508-6141 or on the web at Bellevue Martial Arts and Kung-Fu or Martial Arts Instruction in Washington.
Tony Stewart Plays the “Blame Game”
- By Robert Jones
- Published 07/28/2006
In last week’s Nextel Cup race, Tony Stewart once again let his emotions get the best of him after a fellow racer (Clint Bowyer) ran him into the wall during first laps of the race. Instead of letting the incident roll off his back and continuing to race to the best of his ability, Tony Stewart waved a fist at Bowyer and then proceeded to slide into Bowyer’s car. This, in turn, started a large wreck which affected many other racers – including knocking other drivers (and himself) out of the chase for the championship cup.
When asked to comment on the wreck he caused, Stewart explained that NASCAR is a sport full of give and take and the affected racers needed to be able to take the race how it comes – unlike his very own actions that caused the wreck in the first place. Later, Stewart did issue a public apology taking responsibility for the wreck, but it doesn’t erase the fact that he originally placed the blame on other people and hasn’t been able to practice what he preaches in terms of sportsmanship, honor and respect.
Perhaps it is the contrasting natures of the sports, but martial arts looks at things differently. It’s okay to be confident in one’s skills, but not to the point that it causes dishonestly or a loss of honor; martial arts holds especially high the notion of respecting others. The use of will power to restrain oneself from lashing out at people who may have wronged them (purposefully or not) is one of the greatest effects of training martial arts. The ability to control your mind and body needed to safely practice your art carries over to other parts of your life and helps you be able to control your anger, keep your honor and resonate respect to those around you. Practicing martial arts helps you keep these qualities high on your list of virtues. By doing so, you’ll find yourself enjoying life more because you’ll be able to be successful in your own right and you’ll probably also find yourself having to back track to “mend wounds” less often.
Perhaps if Stewart had a little more will power and respect for those around him he could save himself penalties (such like the one he received during Sunday’s race) and he wouldn’t have to work quite so hard to get back into the chase for the championship.
