As I sit here typing this, I am reflecting on my experiences over the years in the defensive and competition shooting world.  I have been very fortunate throughout the years to have come in contact with great teachers who have not only taught me how to shoot well, but people that have become close friends and mentors.  I am thankful that they have guided me to remain passionate for improving as a well rounded shooter.  I have noticed a tendency in these people over the years, which brings me to my point; they have not just managed, but thrived in remaining a student of their chosen endeavor. 

      I have learned that it is imperative that those of us who want to continually improve to remain humble and increase our knowledge by both seeking it out and by hard won experience.  To this day one of the biggest reasons I still enjoy taking classes is that I continually learn that I “don’t know, what I don’t know.”  I still have weaknesses, and quite frankly have learned to tolerate if not enjoy the taste of humble pie during the learning process.  No, humble pie doesn’t taste like chicken.  I am still aware that it is still my RESPONSIBILITY to seek out reputable instruction in strengthening my weaknesses.  It behooves all of us to remain humble in the search of that knowledge and that includes instructors more than most.  I have no shame in saying that I have taken the same classes from the same instructors to make sure that I have improved upon the lessons given and to test myself against my prior performance.  I believe there are lessons to be learned in testing yourself against your own previous performance and sometimes the best way to do that is in the self imposed pressures of a class or local club match.  I implore anybody that takes their skill progression seriously in any endeavor to always remain a student; nobody knows everything so keep learning.