A nameless opponent

I train and I train, always against an evolving, imagined opponent. When my skill rises I imagine that my opponent is better, when I break through a slump I see my opponent rising even higher. It is a way of improving, never seeing a final end to one`s ability. To me that opponent is some nameless person out there that is training harder than me, more dedicated and diligent in his pursuits. That opponent represents someone who has gone farther than I, but I feel in imagining this person I can see how I can improve. As this opponent is always better than I, every cut is parried and every move is countered. It is like a game of eternal chess with yourself. Its also justification to say "see, i can be better! If he can do it so can I." Never be complacent to one`s ability, never be satisfied with what you know.

But on the same hand I feel it is paramount to be supremely confident of what your abilities are and how far you can act in the present. The very reason you can evolve and see past you present abilities is because you understand them 100% and can build! Not understanding, for example, how you arrived at a particular cut (the movement of muscle, its application etc) leaves it to become an isolated technique with no relation to any others that you know.