Training with purpose

I've put purpose into my training this year.  When I'm training, I'm training with a reason and with an end goal in mind.  When I'm practicing my forms I'm thinking about why I'm practising a specific technique.  Why is it here?  What's the purpose?  I'm starting to add opponents into my forms and it's helping me visualize and apply what I'm doing.  I've also started to apply the little tid bits of information that I've been given in class.  Both to the whole class and those given specifically to me.  Recently I performed Loa Gar for Sifu Ryback.  She gave me some very specific feedback that I've started to apply to the form.  I stepped back and thought about why it's there and now I can see the application and the answer to the "why".  

I keep coming back to maturity.  I'm 42 years old, shouldn't I have been mature enough to have understood these concepts years ago?  Why are they only now starting to stick and ressonate with me?  The only answers that I can come up with is that I'm finally ready and willing.  My mind is open, my ego's in check and I've matured enough to understand.  

Mr. Repay

Student of Silent River Kung Fu