| Being a black belt is more than just another | | | | impact in a young martial artists life then |
| rank in the martial arts. It's a milestone | | | | see them throw their life away. I would |
| that every martial artist strives for but | | | | rather inspire a self-doubted child, than see |
| only a small percentage actually achieve. | | | | him struggle with confidence issues |
| Obtaining a black belt or equivalent ranking | | | | throughout his childhood and into his teenage |
| in any art takes a lot of dedication and | | | | years. |
| perseverance. The journey appears never | | | | |
| ending as a kyu rank (under belt), but once | | | | So what does a black belt mean to me? A way |
| you reach that stage its an amazing | | | | of life. I pay more attention to the path, |
| achievement. When I was 13 years old I passed | | | | and not the pinnacle of the art because in |
| my Sho Dan test. I can remember sleeping with | | | | reality, there is no pinnacle. It is a |
| my belt practically every night. No joke. I | | | | journey that will never end. And now that I |
| would take it everywhere - the folks and I | | | | am in the process of opening my own dojo, |
| are going to the store, my belt came along. | | | | being a San Dan has more meaning than before. |
| Spending the night at a friend's house, my | | | | I wan to make sure I am the best martial |
| belt came along. | | | | artist I can be in order for my future |
| | | | students to learn the beauty of Wado-Ryu. |
| What I didn't realize though, is there comes | | | | |
| a great deal of responsibility by being a | | | | Our instructors, and their instructors, and |
| black belt. I don't believe one recognizes | | | | their instructor's instructor were taught |
| this until they have been a Yudansha (black | | | | certain ways to carry themselves and |
| belt) for a few years. It probably didn't hit | | | | expectations of being a black belt. Whether |
| me until I was a full time instructor, and | | | | it be physically, mentally, or socially. This |
| more when I stepped away from teaching. | | | | has been passed down to us and it is our duty |
| Students look up to us. We are what they want | | | | to continue to pass this "unwritten rule" on |
| to be when they grow up. Remember when you | | | | to future generations of martial artists. |
| were a child and you had a favorite athlete | | | | Why? It's tradition. It's the martial way. We |
| and when you played that particular sport you | | | | are the leaders of our dojo. |
| were always them. That's what a black belt | | | | |
| resembles. Students watch every move we make | | | | Now that you know what a black belt means to |
| and duplicate them almost to a 'T'. We are | | | | me, I challenge you to find out what a black |
| roll models to them and their families. I | | | | belt means to you. |
| accept that. I would rather make a positive | | | | |