The story beyond the story. The lessons learned while marching through the storms of everyday. While studying Martial Arts I learned very quickly that winning is a choice. Sounds like a tool of insurance more than assurance. Learning to live that path helped me embrace the unexpected while celebrating the carefully planned out. Then when life takes a swing at you the forest student steps back into the circle and realizes the importance of learning. I didn't learn how to kick, block and punch but rather opened my awareness. That's a tough life to live up to. Being aware means you stand on the roof of your foundation and take on the storm. There's a reason why willows bend with the wind. But were they always that way?