Sounds harsh? Not so much to those who have made the
commitment. For those who haven’t made the commitment - stop wanting and start
working. Wanting what others have
achieved while being unwilling to pay with the same sweat equity is nothing
more than whining. Winners don’t whine.
Martial arts training can be beneficial for just about
everyone. I expect every student who
comes through the door to leave with more knowledge and skill than when they
entered. Every student who tries learns something more about what they can and
cannot do. This knowledge is valuable.
Over time we work to make the student’s list of what they cannot do
become smaller and smaller.
We all run into obstacles in our training that are harder to
overcome than others. The motivated student continues trying until they succeed.
A failure only requires the student to get up and try again in order for there
to be an opportunity for success. Some students will continue to get up
regardless of how many times they fail - they already have the heart of a Black
Belt. Some will fail and can be encouraged to try again - they can be shown how to develop the heart of
a Black Belt. Some will fail and not get back up - they will not develop the
heart of a Black Belt but deserve recognition for their willingness to attempt
the adventure. Some will not even try –
they are sheep.
Earning the right, privilege and responsibility to wear a
Black Belt is not a matter of current society’s desire for fairness as measured
by equal outcomes. In a previous blog I discussed that self esteem is notachieved by meeting lowered standards. Giving out Black Belts to students to
make them feel important is counterproductive. In the long run it diminishes
the meaning of Black Belt in your school. Black Belt should only be awarded to
those who have put in the work AND developed the skills that are indicative of
being a Black Belt.
Progression to Black Belt is a matter of your individual
journey and should not be measured in the context of what someone else had to
overcome or how long it took them. When you are progressing through the ranks
do not worry about keeping up with someone else, keeping ahead of someone else
or lagging behind someone else. If someone is training more often than you are,
harder than you are, or started with more natural talent than you did – do not
hinder them. Cheer when they achieve Black Belt, just as they will cheer you
when you do.
I look forward to helping every student who is willing to
make the attempt. I look forward to celebrating
every student who achieves Black Belt. I look forward cheering on every student
who is willing to reach beyond Black Belt.
Will you step up to the challenge of Black Belt, or will you step out of
the way for those who are willing to take the challenge.
Tang Soo!
Master Scott C. Homschek
