Marettes vs. Bread

My husband was talking to me about a couple of his apprentices tonight. He’s an electrician, for reference, working at a new company for the first time in 20 years. One apprentice works hard, approaches Nick (my husband) when he doesn’t know what to do, ask questions but doesn’t question, and picks up a broom when he’s waiting for direction. The other is there just to pass the time. Nick is constantly frustrated when he comes home because this guy doesn’t want to learn, he wants to prove. He proclaimed today that he’s got enough hours that now he can challenge the test, get his journeyman ticket and therefore he’ll be owed a raise and a truck. The first guy, the one who will push a broom when he’s waiting instead of checking his phone, is also technically eligible for his journeyman but he doesn’t want to take the test. He told my husband he wants to spend a couple more years as a fourth year because he knows how much he doesn’t know. 

And there’s the difference. Just as there is a difference in the frame of mind between these two apprentices, there is a difference in the frame of mind between someone in the martial arts and a martial artist. Between a student that wants black and a student that is earning black. You can’t just do it, you have to do right by it. It’s the difference between a job and a career, but take it one step further; it’s the difference between a career and a lifestyle.

And it’s a sexy lifestyle. Who wouldn’t want to be able to say “yeah, I’m a martial artist”? 

It’s like baking bread. A pinch of salt, some sugar. But, there are key components that differentiate between boom and bust. 

Putting in the time is a part of it. Doing the reps is also a part. But expecting to be promoted because you’ve put in the time and did your reps, it’s like this guy who said pay me more because I’ve done my time and twisted my marettes. No dude, you have to earn it. You earn it by being a great electrician.

Uncle Ben said it best. “With great power comes great responsibility”.

Anyone who plans on grading for a black belt, current or future, you better ask yourself if you’re really ready. Not just in hours training. You will hold the future of Kung Fu in your hands. You will colour it for everyone who came before you. You will define it for every soul who comes after you. You have this incredible, fragile, vulnerable and trusting creature in your hands, that somehow has survived for two thousand years. Are you protecting it the way it deserves?

Humility. Honesty. Respect. This is the flour, water and leaven in the bread. 

I am humble enough to admit that no, I am not giving this beautiful creature the protection and respect it deserves. But you know damn well that I am trying. Every minute of every day, I try. I believe that is why I am where I am, and more importantly who I am.

I often fail. Ego may rear its ugly head from time to time as I offer a reason or excuse, but deep down I know I just need to do better and I also know that my instructors and mentors know this too. I cannot try to talk away my failures. What a slap in the face to my mentors, to have them give me their time and experience only for me to say “yeah, I know, but” like I know better?? 

As it’s been so eloquently put by others, I will acknowledge my failures, do my best to learn from them, and let them go. Don’t just move on, move forward.