We live in a society where everyone “wants” but few are
willing to put forth the effort necessary to get what they want. This is true in the martial arts community as
well. Everyone wants a Black Belt but regrettably most do not get much beyond
the wanting stage.
Wanting is the beginning of discovery. If the person who wants something understands
that wanting is not enough – to make the want become reality requires
action. At times it seems Newton’s laws
of motion keep people from pursuing their wants. An object at rest tends to
stay at rest, it does not move until an action is imparted upon it. Personal
growth and development requires action otherwise it is just a want.
When you want something, what are you willing to do to get
it. Typically pursuing a want requires
that you are going to need to forgo something else. Many express the want to become a Black Belt,
or a professional sports player, or a millionaire, or a doctor, or a….. you get
the idea. While all these are worthy
goals, the questions becomes what are you willing to give up to achieve those
goals. Typically the exchange involves
time, effort, money or more typically all of the above. To become a Black Belt
requires that you are going to give up some other activity in order to be taught
a martial art and then also time to practice.
Too often people are unwilling to exchange their comfort activities
(watching TV, playing on the computer, hanging out in the bar) for an
opportunity to grow and develop. They
are therefore left wanting.
A person who has made the sacrifices to turn their wants
into realized goals understand what it took to get there. They willingly put
forth the time, effort, and money to improve and enhance their personal growth
and development. They “know” where they
were, they also “know” where they are now and where they are heading to. They
did not merely express a desire, they acted upon that desire.
Once a person consciously enters a path of personal growth
and development it becomes easier and easier to take their wants and turn them
into action plans. Momentum builds as they realize their goals and refocus on
new goals. This is a person of
confidence. They become people others look to for advice and guidance. They
rise to be leaders in their peer group, in their place of employment and in
their communities. When they decide they want something they don’t just “want”
it they “know” how to make it happen.
The students who rise to Black Belt and beyond are people of
confidence. Black Belts do not see
obstacles, they see opportunities. They do not sit back and wait for others to
give them what they “want” they go out and get it; realizing that there is
great value in earning what they want. Once
you have invested the time, energy and effort to earn knowledge no one can take
it away. Confidence is a result of experience (“knowing”), experience comes from
action, action derives from a plan and plans have their origin in a want. Are
you prepared to move beyond just wanting and into real personal growth and
development?
Tang Soo!
Master Homschek
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