Whether by their own wills or by others, those who represent an era have rivals.

They pick their rivals by themselves and try to overcome them,

or other people around them goad them to compete with each other.

Rivals stimulate and motivate them to improve themselves.

Do rivals, however, only exists for the best?

I don't think so.

Like I said in the beginning, you can pick your own rival.

If you set someone better than you as your rival,

and try hard to overcome them,

it will become a chance to improve yourself.

You can also set a promise with yourself as a rival.

In daily life, we plan things or make a promise with yourself, but easily forget or give up.

If you have decided to train martial arts, set that determination as your rival,

and try every day not to lose to it.

You will fight against your mind which wants to give up or become lazy.

Once such effort builds up, you will have better sets of skills,

and when it becomes a habit, you will be more passionate and enthusiastic about your life.

It's important to know that the best rival is 'yourself'.

Let me finish this up with a saying by Lao Zi(老子), a great philosopher of ancient China.

知人者智, 自知者明, 勝人者有力, 自勝者强, 知足者富, 强行者有志

He who understands others is intelligent.

He who understands himself is enlightened.

He who overcomes others is forceful.

He who overcomes himself is strong.

He who knows he has enough is wealthy.

He who perseveres has will power.

He who stands on his ground endures.

He who dies but not to perish has longevity.

Lao Zi(老子) - Tado Te Ching [道德經]