Thoughtful Thursday

Driftwood

testing, testing, 1 2 3

I started attending karate classes to have a common interest with my son. I continue to go to class because I’m hooked.

Last week I tested for my third belt, yellow solid. Being the second formal testing I hoped to feel less nervous but such was not the case. Though I knew the Kata I still worried about “messing up” my blocks or stances. As we drove to the testing, my friend and I asked ourselves the same question we asked before our first testing, “why do we have the need to put ourselves through this?”

Yesterday after receiving my new belt, I know the answer. It is the sense of accomplishment and knowing the discipline is takes to learn the Katas to earn the belt. Moving to the next level of difficulty while still perfecting the basics.

The Sensei’s daughter received her black belt. I wonder if she knows, at only 16 years old, she is an inspiration to someone three times her age.