Recently my son tested for his second degree black belt in the martial art system that my family teaches, but I was thousands of miles away in the midst of a move for a job.
He began martial arts many years ago as a child and through the years, he matured into an assistant instructor.
This story is not unlike many other stories of children who have earned their belts through the years, and prepare to begin a new journey as they grow into young adulthood. I am proud, like all the other parents of black belt children. While all of this is very important and significant to me, the true significance spans much wider.
This story is about the transcendence of martial arts through time and place. Here, thousands of miles away, I watched some portions of the test through FaceTime, and my daughter took photos and gave me commentary during the test.
I was here in the moment, so proud of his accomplishment, knowing there was an audience cheering him on, and that he was growing in that moment. He was recognizing his own internal power, his mindset, his capabilities, and his potential. As many say, it is only the beginning for him.
The testing group contained students with whom I have worked for the past several years. I am so happy and proud of all of them. Knowing that martial arts capture moments of life in a very personal way, I knew that my presence there was not necessary for their success.
In fact, this martial art program is ending as my family transitions to move across country to join me. For all of us it is new beginnings, and it is martial arts that will help us with this big life change. It is the moments we have experienced either in our own journey, or in the lives of our students, that will bring us new ambition and personal growth. It is their smiles and their effort, their participation and their desire to succeed, that will give us momentum.
You see, martial arts are physical, but the physicality and practice sifts into life and blends in, like flour into a delicious cake recipe. Slowly and methodically, the experiences blend with real life until they are wholly connected. I can be here or there during test time and still have the same emotions. I do not need to see with my eyes what I already know with my heart. Martial arts are not about time and place, they transcend time and place.
They help us surpass our expectations of who we are as individuals and how we connect to the bigger picture. We are connected through a brotherhood and sisterhood of like minds. We see a vision far greater than ourselves. We know that martial arts and mindset can change the world.
If you are a martial artist, and you feel as if you are not progressing, or you are uncomfortable with what you are learning, just remember that many before you have felt the very same way, and many before you have reached their goals. You are not alone in how you feel. It is a matter of choice to push through, or to give up. When you push through, you will find out that you are as strong and brave as every other martial artist.
If you are an instructor, know that you will touch the lives of your students in profound ways. Even if a student only attends a few classes, they may remember you for a lifetime. You may give them one self-defense move that will save their life, or you may encourage them in a way they have never been encouraged before. They may simply remember the way you smiled when they struggled with a technique, or they way you gave them a chance to succeed when others would not.
Yes, I am proud of my son, as well as all of the others who recently tested in my martial art program. Even more importantly, I am excited that he and all the other students have memories of martial arts that they will carry with them for a lifetime. They will always know that they are as powerful, capable and strong on the inside as they are on the outside, and I believe that is the true significance of martial arts in today’s world.
xoxo
Andrea
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Keep your eye out for my next book:
****How to Start Your Own Martial Art Program****
In the meantime, keep inspired by one of my other two books:
https://goo.gl/Yco5GF – Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone
https://goo.gl/dGfX1q – The Martial Arts Woman
Osu and congratulations, Shane!
Thank you!
Andrea,
You must be so proud of your son, as well you should be. And it must have been hard for you not to have been there. I remember a few years ago, my daughter was getting a state award for being an outstanding Athletic Director. My husband and I were invited to a formal dinner presentation and we were set to go to the airport and I had an emergency surgery. I was so disappointed. It was the first time we were not able to be there when one of our children received any kind of an award. But they taped it for us. The thing is, although we were not there for her, she earned that award on her own. We as parents, prepared her growing up as best we could. She is an adult now and making her own path in life. You and your husband have raised your children the best you could and they are all wonderful children. And you can stand proud. We do. Every time one of our children gets a promotion, or a raise, or compliments, they always thank us. Now their children are growing up and they see how difficult it can be. I think the point I am trying to make is, our job, (my husband and mine) will never be done. It’s done as far as raising our children. That’s done. But we will always be here for them. Just as I know, you will always be there for your children and your students. Good luck on your new job. Good luck on your new book. Prayers for your new career. Love, Marlene
Thank you, Marlene! Beautifully said!