As a new year approaches, it is time to pause and reflect on your accomplishments of the past year.  Review them, relish in them, enjoy them and then, let them go.  It is now time to set your goals for the upcoming year.  What is it that you really want to accomplish?  Take a moment and write it down.  The first line of our Dragon Code states, "I am what I am because I choose to be."  What do you choose to be in this upcoming year?

     You must remember that a warrior is a person who has accepted full responsibility for his own life.  Do not place blame on others.  Accept responsibility for your life and know that you have the power to change any aspect of your life which you do not like.  Take some quiet time with yourself and evaluate the current state of your life.  Then focus your thoughts on what kind of life you want to have this upcoming year.  Write down your goals and aspirations.  Remember - Whatever you believe, you can achieve!

     Along with your chosen goals and aspirations, I would like to suggest that you make purification of yourself a major goal.  What exactly is purification?  By this point in your training, you have probably discovered that you have not only a physical body, but an energy body as well.  As you train, you no doubt focus on increasing your level of energy.  However, it is not only the quantity of energy that is important but the quality of energy as well.

     As such, make it a point to delve deeper into your forms, meditations and techniques and see them not only as forms, meditations and techniques, but also as methods to purify your energy system.  It has been said that "The Way is in Training."  When you train with the intent of purification, then purification will occur.  Use the art to rid yourself of all of those traits, qualities and habits which hold you back from achieving your ultimate potential.  Use the art to purify yourself.  One of the characteristics of a Dragon is Purity.  The daily discipline of practicing your forms, meditations and techniques with the intent of purifying the quality of your energy system will result in an increased purity.  You will be less emotionally reactive.  You will find that your thoughts are clearer and that you are better able to know what it means to be true to yourself, the ultimate definition of a Dragon.

     Dr. Makia L. Pai is the Founder of Dragon Moon® Kung Fu and the Executive Director of Dragon Moon Martial Arts Association.  He is a long time practitioner of the Pai Family martial, meditative, and metaphysical arts.