Evolution

There has been a lot of chatter regarding the upcoming black belt grading, which naturally lead me to start thinking about my own grading and the events leading up to it. I can’t say I remember much about the actual grading. Counting the letters on the sign in front of me while holding the flexed arm hang. My legs shaking uncontrollably during the horse stance. Sifu Olsvik hitting the mats with a massive charley horse. 

What I do remember vividly is my preparation in the months leading up. The I Ho Chuan did not exist, therefore I had to find my own stepping stones. I knew I needed to condition my body, therefore I did 150 push ups, sit ups and leg lifts nightly. I remember doing them on my bedroom floor, using my little pink throw rug as a mat while my tiny tube tv played Dawson’s Creek or The X-Files. 

I did not know my grading mates, other than Sifu Olsvik. He and I worked months on our techniques, refining and changing them completely on occasion. 

I ran frequently (I had heard nightmares about the 2k run). I studied the theory, memorized the Code of Ethics, read and reread Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (that took me the full year, I suggest getting on that asap). 

Most importantly, I made sure I was informed on all expectations, deadlines and requirements. Oh, and I made sure I was significantly early (definitely didn’t want to be excluded due to a late assignment or a train crossing on the day of). Sixteen year old me had to become responsible and decide how I wanted to define myself. 

Of course things are different today. The process has evolved, and as a result every new crop of black belts seems to get better and better. 

Moral of the story- the I Ho Chuan is everything you need to do for grading prep all wrapped up in a neat little package. Sifu Brinker did all the figuring out for you, all you need to do is just follow the instructions. 

Me? I had to first determine what I was lacking and what I needed to do about it and then figure out how to do it. You? The how to do it is already defined for you. What you should be doing is defining the why behind each how. 

Mud & Oysters

Although classes have changed and we are unable to approach our training the same way we have in the past, I'm seeing opportunity amongst the hardships. Just because things had to change does not mean the changes cannot be great. And I'm seeing people embrace these changes, as well as people who are stagnating, waiting for things to change back. 

 The biggest changes that catch my eye have occured with the parents. Since we are not able to be hands on, most of you know we've had to enlist the help of the parents in the Lil' Leopards. And I love it. The majority of the parents are right in there like a pig in mud, and you can see how much the kids are loving it. This engagement has me estatic. 

 Anyone who has read the articles I wrote a while back will know that I wholeheartedly believe that this is the key to the kingdom for a child. A parents engagement (or lack thereof) can rewrite a childs' future.

I tested this out recently in the Black Dragons classes. I was a little nervous going in, unsure how the parents would respond to the class or the notion. And I was thrilled at the results. Most of the parents were throwing their first kicks with more enthusiasm than I've seen in a while. And when it came to using the pool noodles... There definitely wasn't a bored face in the room. 

 So there it is. One of the silver linings I've found. Anyone who is feeling that this pandemic nothing but a hardship and you cannot thrive I challenge you to change your attitude. A hardship can become a blessing if you change your perspective. If you can't see opportunity then I urge you to create one. All it takes is a change in attitude and the world is your oyster.