The other day I was practicing in my town at a big football field near my house.  Generally speaking if I choose to practice there I am doing things that may look a bit peculiar at first but if someone watches for a bit they likely begin to realize I am practicing martial arts. Well, on this particular day, I brought a pole with me and I was circle walking doing 8 animals.  I was very focused on what I was doing and though part of me heard a man yelling, I completely ignored it and continued to practice.  It was only after the 3rd time of repeating what he said in an increasingly louder and angrier voice did it occur to me he was yelling profanities at me. Now, I won’t quite repeat what was being screamed at me but let’s just say it went something like “You f#@$% freak!” Now, this surprised me yet I had to laugh a bit to myself as I realized the poses I was in must have looked very odd.  I also at this point noticed that this “man” was probably late teens and was accompanied by several companions in his car which he apparently pulled over especially for me.  Wow, how flattering.

Honestly, I was ok with it as long as no one decided to get out of the car and get any closer.(I had quickly formulated a bit of a plan though just in case they did - but luckily they gave up on me and left after a bit).  Surely, my complete disregard to his obvious ire just riled him up some more but really! As I thought some more about what happened as I walked back to my car I was incredulous, not because he thought what I was doing was so strange (it does look odd and may have even mistook it for some form of worship) but regardless what should he care? Why so little tolerance of others?

We fear what we don’t understand I suppose. But that shouldn’t stop me. I’ll continue to go there and practice whenever I like. People need to become more tolerant of the differences between us.  Hiding what I love to do and need to practice won’t help that. Maybe, if my friend decides to stop by again in the future, and I am done practicing, I will walk over and try to have a civil conversation. Maybe at the end of it he will come to realize I was doing no harm and that his anger was misplaced. Maybe not….but without trying nothing changes.