Tag: kung fu philosophy

What Mozart Told the 21 Year Old

Temple TeamMindset & Philosophy

Hello Wah Lum Family,

There are two ways to climb a mountain.

You can start at the bottom and make every single mistake from scratch on your way to the top. Or, you can take a Sherpa with you and master the best of what others have already figured out.

We often hear that “mistakes are the best teachers.”

I don’t know about that.

Your mistakes aren’t the best teacher; they are just the most expensive. The successful learn by example; they learn from the experience of their Sifu and their seniors. The foolish insist on firsthand pain.

However, there is a trap here.

While you need a guide, you cannot rely solely on asking for directions. Advice is overrated, and action is underrated.

There is a story about Mozart that perfectly illustrates this point:

A young man asked Mozart how to write a symphony. Mozart replied, “You’re far too young to write a symphony.” The young man protested, “But you were writing symphonies when you were 10 years old, and I’m 21!”

Mozart smiled and replied, “Yes, but I didn’t go around asking people how to do it.”

You can read all the books, watch all the videos, and ask your Sifu every question in the book. But ultimately, advice-gathering can quickly become procrastination in disguise.

The Balance:

  1. Trust the Sherpa: Don’t try to reinvent the system. It has been refined for longer than you’ve been alive so you don’t have to make the “expensive mistakes.”
  2. Be like Mozart: Don’t just ask how to be good. Go train.

Take the advice, act on it, and adjust accordingly.

See you in training,

Sifu Oscar

 

P.S. There are 2 ways I can help you stop “advice gathering” and start taking action:

  1. See it for yourself: The best way to understand the system is to see it in person. Email us kungfu@wahlum.com with Observation, and we will set up a time for you to come visit a class.
  2. Start right now: Reading about Kung Fu or fitness won’t change your life; doing it will. Don’t wait until you know “how” to write the symphony. Just start playing the notes. Our Foundations program is the perfect place to start.
    Click here to stop researching and start training.

The Secret to Lasting Progress

Oscar AgramonteKung Fu, Mindset & Philosophy

One of the hardest lessons in training is patience. Real strength takes time. It takes at least six weeks before the body even begins to adapt. 

What feels like progress early on is often just your nervous system getting better at the movement. That is not wasted time, it is practice, but it is not true strength yet.

This is why frustration is part of the path. Every elite athlete has had to learn it. You will not feel progress every day. 

If excellence were easy, everyone would achieve it.

Most people give up simply because they expect too much too soon. They confuse the normal ups and downs of training with failure. 

The road to extraordinary results is never straight.

So how do you keep moving forward?

  • Show up.
  • Do the work.
  • Go home.

Progress comes from a steady work ethic paired with determination. Once you decide on your goal, stick with it. Do not compromise.

True progress requires long-term focus. No drama. No beating yourself up over small setbacks. 

Learn to enjoy the process, because you will spend far more time on the journey than in those brief moments of victory.

Celebrate the wins when they come. Learn from the defeats. 

And remember, if you are never failing, you are not pushing hard enough.

Most importantly, forget the timeline. It will take as long as it takes. Make the decision once and stay committed. That single choice is more powerful than any shortcut.

Kung Fu itself means hard work over time. 

At Wah Lum, our art reminds us that mastery is not about quick fixes. It is about patience, perseverance, and refusing to settle for less than your best.

See you in training,

Sifu Oscar

 

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are ways we can help you get started.

1. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi?  First step is to watch a class and see if we would be a good fit! Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for an appointment.

2. Become part of my exclusive Coaching Group with CYH Remote Coaching.  Get personalized coaching delivered right to your phone and catered to your specific goals.
Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for info.

Thinking Like a Beginner

Oscar AgramonteKung Fu, Mindset & Philosophy

Mastery Starts with a Beginner’s Mind

Have you ever heard the saying, “In the beginner’s mind, there are endless possibilities?” Whether you’re new to Kung Fu or have years of experience, adopting a beginner’s mindset can unlock your potential.

What Is a Beginner’s Mind?

It’s about approaching every practice session with curiosity, as if it’s your very first day. When we let go of what we “already know,” we stay open to learning, embrace mistakes, and enjoy the journey.

How to Practice Beginner’s Mind

  1. Stay Curious: Treat even the basics as brand new—there’s always more to learn.
  2. Embrace Mistakes: Instead of frustration, see them as experiments for growth.
  3. Let Go of Shortcuts: Thinking “I’ve got this” can block progress. Stay open to fresh insights.

The Payoff

When you think like a beginner, you learn faster, reduce stress, and become more focused. This week, approach your training—or even a daily task—with a beginner’s mind. You might be surprised by what you discover!

Sifu Oscar

 

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are ways we can help you get started.

1. Schedule a time to observe a class.
Interested in Kung Fu or Tai Chi?  First step is to watch a class and see if we would be a good fit! Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for an appointment.

2. Become part of my exclusive Coaching Group with CYH Remote Coaching.  Get personalized coaching delivered right to your phone and catered to your specific goals. Email: kungfu@wahlum.com for info.