What Black Belt Means to Me

When I started my training in the Martial Arts, I was a teenager full of many questions. I was eager in wanting to awaken to my purpose in life. I had been raised with good morals and values, but I lacked the inner knowledge and strength needed for conquering my fears and living a life of passion. Over the years, my martial arts path has been a vehicle for facing my inner afflicting emotions and moving beyond them. Becoming a Black Belt has improved my life by providing me with tools not only for self-defense, but also for self-discovery. Being exposed to the Eastern philosophies of Taoism and Buddhism, as well as learning Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and meditation have served as enhancements in my training. The Martial Arts have given me spiritual practices that sustain me through my daily efforts, and allow me to more deeply connect with others. 

I have learned many life skills on my journey to Black Belt, which I attribute largely to embracing the spiritual essence of the Martial Arts. The qualities of self-confidence, courage and discipline, stand out the most to me. Self-confidence has come in learning to trust my abilities and also from seeing the effect my efforts have had on improving the overall quality of my life. Through perseverance and going beyond what I thought was possible, I developed the courage and heart to be able to keep going in difficult circumstances. In learning the proper execution of Forms and Combinations, and by continuously making my movements more efficient and powerful, I have learned the art of discipline: the concentration of will towards a good aim. In the Martial Arts as in life, power is best defined as "a lack of resistance" rather then tension and struggle. Martial Arts have helped me to free myself from human limitations and thereby discover the source of my unlimited potential.   
     

I am prepared to make the commitment to becoming a Master because of my desire for self-improvement and my calling to be of service to humanity. From the beginning of my training, the idea of integrating mind, body and spirit has resonated deep within me. From this concept, I began to see that Martial Arts at its core is a noble way of life and a spiritual path of self-mastery. I believe self-mastery and God-realization as being the pinnacle of the human experience. Through the Martial Arts, I believe I can accomplish these things, along with more deeply developing my life's purpose of being of service to others. My heart-felt mission in life is to create a world of peace, love and harmony by "becoming the change I wish to see in the world." The path of Mastery in the Martial Arts can lead and guide me in co-creating this type of world. 

-Paul Zasada, First Degree Black Belt       June 2007

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Junior Black Belt with Green Stripe Letter

"Do or do not, there is no try."-Yoda

            Becoming a junior black belt has improved my life in many different ways. It has improved my life so that now I can defend myself.  I worked hard to earn all my belts.  I follow the three rules of the school both in the outside world and in the dojo. I respect others by not being mean.  I do all the things I need to do, without being told, like my homework. I have learned to control myself and not be wild. For example, I don't speak out without raising my hand anymore. Karate has helped me to do this.

            I have learned many life skills on my journey to Junior Black Belt. In addition to    the three rules of the school, I have also learned "Black Belt Excellence" and gratitude. I learned these life skills during my four years of karate classes. To master anger is something I also learned during my training at the dojo. I also learned that "perfect practice makes perfect." These life skills help me in school, socially, and in my family life. Meditation has also helped me calm myself down and have complete focus on whatever I am doing.

            As a Junior Black Belt, I am now ready to commit to becoming an Adult Black Belt.  I understand that I will learn and develop, as part of my training, skills like- leadership, contributing and helping others whenever possible.  I am prepared to make this commitment because this is what "Black Belt Excellence" is all about. This is what I have learned from karate; to help others when they are in need. Like when I help out in classes, as a member of the S.T.O.R.M. Team.  I have been committed to helping out students as a member of the S.T.O.R.M  Team, once or twice a week for several years.  I can contribute by helping my friends in school and in the dojo, when they ask. This is how feel I can contribute.

By: Jimmy Dinh    December 16, 2006

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Junior Black Belt with Green Stripe Letter

What Black Belt Means to Me

"In walking, just walk. In sitting, just sit. Above all, don't wobble."-Yun-men

            Becoming a Junior Black Belt has and will improve my life both physically and mentally. This achievement has given me a goal to work for. This belt wasn't just any goal; this goal has taken a very long time to achieve and a lot of hard work and effort. The experience of karate has been great for me. It has taught me respect for authority and others, self-control, self-discipline, and has given me a great self-image. It is great to know that after five years of working toward this goal I have achieved it. Junior Black Belt has given me confidence in myself that, in a bad situation, I could defend myself. It gives me joy knowing that my hard work toward Junior Black Belt has paid off.

            I have learned many, many life skills on my way to Junior Black Belt. Some of these are being focused, sociable, self-confident, and having self-control and self-discipline. I think being focused was one of the greatest things I have learned on my journey to Junior Black Belt. Being able to focus allows me to have fun, but know when to be serious. The ability to focus is a good skill to have in life because with focus you can do hard work without being distracted. For example, focusing on school work or karate might mean missing your favorite TV show, but in the end it will pay off. Karate has made me more sociable and self-confident because it is a sociable event. When you go to karate you talk to people and have fun. You know that no one cares about how you look. The focus is on your rank and if you're hard working. The last few things I have learned are self-control and self-discipline. These I have learned by knowing what to do, both at the dojo and at home. I have learned self-control and self-discipline by being focused. By being focused and having a clear mind it allows you to think things over before you act and remember things you may have forgotten. These skills have really helped me through school and karate. I'm happy that I have learned them.

            I am prepared to make commitments for Adult Black Belt because it will be a new goal to set myself towards. Becoming a Junior Black Belt or even an Adult Black Belt will be a new and good experience that I am willing to put myself through. I will be learning new things and new life skills. These skills will better me and better the dojo, especially if I become good enough to become an assistant instructor. I think I can contribute my skills to other students that may need help or assistance. My leadership will help bring out the best in myself and hopefully the best in others around me. Contributing to the community means that I will have to support others and their opinions in order to help others or better the community. All these things that I will learn at Junior Black Belt may take a while, but I am willing to do it.

            All the things that I have learned or should learn will become better and stronger at my next rank. I am very willing to commit myself entirely, in order to better myself and people around me. I can't wait to start learning the many things I will at Junior Black Belt. It's going to be so FUN!

-Matteson Holtman           12/9/06

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Junior Black Belt with Green Stripe Letter

     Becoming a Junior Black Belt has improved my life in many ways, number one of which is learning to deal with my frustrations. I used to deal with pretty much everything in my life with anger, tears, and frequent "meltdowns". I know this didn't make me very popular with the other kids and I was often bullied, picked on, and pushed around. This led to behavior of even more tears, acting out, and sometimes getting physical. Karate has taught me how to relax and to think before I act. It has helped to lower my frustration level. I now realize I may not always be the best, but I know I must always at least try my best. I have become more social and I trust that more people are now my friends by accepting me as I am. There may be times in a person's life when it is necessary to defend oneself physically. If that ever occurs I will be able to apply the skills I have learned in Karate. More important though is that I've learned to defend myself with the right words and the right behavior as opposed to using my fists.

      I have learned many life skills on my journey to Junior Black Belt. I have learned how to show Respect, Self-Control, and Self-Discipline in every part of my journey up to where I am now, and I will continue to show them throughout the rest of my life. I admit that it did take a while for me to start showing these skills at home and at school. At first, I thought that they were just the "3 Rules of the School" and should only be followed at the Dojo. Then Sensei Jesse told me that in order to have a very successful life, I must show the 3 rules everywhere. He also told me that they aren't just rules, they're life skills that I will need to have if I was ever going to become a Black Belt.  From then on, I was dedicated to using those skills whenever possible, and whenever I didn't, Sensei would make me do push-ups, a lot of push-ups to remind me about showing those skills. Now, I show them ALMOST everywhere I go. I have also learned about being sociable, being focused, showing good character, and a lot of other useful skills that I will also have to master to be successful. If it wasn't for Sensei Jesse, Sensei Deb, and Sensei Elaine, I would not be the person I am today.

       As a Junior Black Belt, I am now ready to commit to becoming an Adult Black Belt. I understand that I will learn and develop, as a part of my training, skills like- leadership, contributing to my community and helping others whenever possible. I am prepared to make this commitment because it will be the ultimate test, proving to myself and others that I have what it will take to become an Adult Black Belt. It will prove to everyone that I was once a White Belt, a White Belt that NEVER GAVE UP.  I feel I can contribute by showing up to as many classes as possible to continue my training, continue being a member of the S.T.O.R.M Team, and bringing out the best in myself and others. I will use the lessons I learn in Leadership Club and S.T.O.R.M. team to act as a role model to others both in an out of the dojo.  I have made it so far in just 3 years and I want to go even farther. For me, there is no turning back!

-Matthew Murphy       June 23, 2007

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Junior Black Belt with Green Stripe Letter
 

" A Black Belt is a White Belt that never gave up."
-Dojo Saying  

            I have learned many life skills on my journey to Junior Black Belt.  One skill I've learned is persevering like if you don't get something right keep trying and don't give up.  Another skill I've learned is practicing.  If you stop practicing, after awhile, you will forget what you have learned.  Also, if you practice you can improve.  Meditation has helped me with my breathing and focusing.  Practicing teamwork in class has helped me learn how to work with different people even if I don't get along with them.  My favorite part of  karate is learning techniques to defend myself.  Defending myself is the last resort if the situation does not continue to get better.

I am ready to make this commitment because it has always been my goal to reach Junior Black Belt.  Since I was young, I have liked karate from the start.  I have worked hard to get where I am today with a lot of time and practice.  I really like and enjoy doing it!!  There are always ways to improve each and every technique and I plan on working on that.  "Every belt color is a self-portrait of the person who did it".

-Kirklin Roderick      June 23, 2007

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What Junior Black Belt with Green Stripe Means to Me: 

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
  Thomas Jefferson

Becoming a junior black belt has improved my life in many different ways.  Since beginning karate four and half years ago, I've discovered many qualities about myself that I never knew I had.  I am motivated to do well.  I have more confidence and have developed my potential, discovering things within me that I never knew I had.  I can concentrate on difficult tasks better than before.  I've developed good balance and more physical strength.  Karate has allowed me to demonstrate that I'm a good person and that I have good self-discipline.   I am a kind and caring person for other people, not just myself.  Karate has helped me to discover who I am, the kind of person I am and who I want to be.

As a Junior Black Belt, I am now ready to commit to becoming an Adult Black Belt.  I understand that I will learn and develop, as part of my training, skills like-leadership, contributing to my community and helping others whenever possible.  I am prepared to make this commitment because I'm at the level where I can contribute my time and my efforts to become the best possible person I can be.  I can learn new things that will help me defend myself in a bad situation.  I also feel that I can contribute, not just time and effort, on my journey to becoming an Adult Black Belt but also patience, a positive attitude, respect, self-control, self-discipline, hard work and personal excellence.   I know that my purpose is to not just become an adult black belt in martial arts, but to become a better person in my community and become a better person in life.  I am ready for the next step in my journey.  

By Gregory Levada  June 23, 2007