Pain Pics: Punched in the Face

Pain is suppose to teach us something. Bruises, sprains, cuts and scrapes have been my most effective teachers in the martial arts. When I get a bruise that gives me an insight into life, I take a picture of it to remember and honor the lesson it has taught me. 

I got punched in the face during Karate sparring, I iced the heck out of it and, even though my cheek bone is still sore, the bruise didn't get much bigger.

What I learned: I need to get better/more automatic about blocking stuff coming at my face, a real fight would have ended really badly for me because the force of the punch knocked my contact lens out - I would have been half blind, disoriented and have lost a real fight after that. I should also consider some sort of face guard for sparring.