Karate: A Life Journey

It is sad how little value I see placed on getting a Black Belt these days. I  see people dedicate themselves to learning the art, and then as soon as they achieve a Black Belt they walk away, never to practice again. I don't know if people lose interest or are not interested in teaching. Whatever the reason is, I see more Black Belts walk away from Karate than those who actually stay.

I've heard that achieving your Black Belt means you know the basics. I would argue that you never get to that point. Striving to perfect what you know, and pushing yourself to learn more, is the ultimate goal. It is in essence the secret to Karate longevity.

I'd be the first to admit I don't consider myself a great practitioner of Karate. I'd consider my technique to be good, but I have a lot to work on. As a Shodan, or a "beginning Black Belt degree", I have no illusions about where I stand, but perhaps that's because I am a very humble student. I believe I can learn from everyone. Having a lower belt question me on technique, makes me work harder to properly teach them.

There is a certain amount of natural talent in martial arts. Some have it, and some do not. Some students work twice as hard as others to achieve the same goals. I'm fortunate that I fall somewhere in the middle. That being said, Karate is for everyone. It's not always how skilled you are, it's about the journey and what you put into and get out of it. It's a confidence booster, not to mention good for your mind and general health.

If you are a beginner, a current Black Belt, or somewhere in between, keep practicing and think of every class as a new opportunity to learn. I very much consider myself a student. I'm very proud to be a Shodan and I show that pride by listening to others and continuing to soak up every opportunity to learn from my Sensei.  Enjoy the journey my friends!