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[jcbel]

Originally Posted by walshy

Lunch?? black belts don't stop for lunch

Originally Posted by tmd

I know! What was he thinking!

You're lucky if you get a gi change in...

[FredInChina]

Originally Posted by Dent

(Still waiting on that other answer...... )

On the question about choosing a belt color according to our mood of the moment?

The Rabia Narker way?


Osu!

[meguro]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!



Answer the phone while ironing again?

(Still waiting on that other answer...... )

Osu!

If it's Friday it must be laundry day. On the other question, hmmn.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by FredInChina

On the question about choosing a belt color according to our mood of the moment?

The Rabia Narker way?

Why not? Seems to work out just fine!

Originally Posted by meguro

On the other question, hmmn.

Sounds like a "YES!" to me!

Osu!

[Ashigeru]

In our dojo, many students quit because they achieved their goal of reaching their shodan. I believe that it is not so much because of a loss of goals as it was a milestone in their lives.

There are people who practice martial arts, and those that become martial artists. Those that practice them leave when they achieve their goals. Those of us that become martial artists have our arts as part of who we are. Shodan becomes a stepping stone to mastery for a martial artist, not the end goal.

When you set a goal up on a pillar as the final step, without looking beyond, you set yourself up for feeling that loss. The attainment of a black belt is just the beginning of serious training, not the attainment of mastery.

[Evergrey]

OSU, I think it may help to have goals well beyond Shodan... to fight in tournaments, if one is able and so inclined, or to become an instructor. Both of these are goals for me, and I hope they carry me though.

[senshido]

Agreed Ashigeru, many see that as the end of the road

[gc33]

Osu to all Sempai and fellow Karateka's here....hmmmm black hole....whilst Im not at dan grade yet but I have been told that I will be testing in march 2012, I am unable to comment on the post shodan black hole or blues, but, I had been away from my dojo for nearly 8 years. our Shihan had to make a decision about me, and Im extremely grateful he did. You see, 8 years ago I went off the rails, BADLY, my dad passed away, I had a marriage break up etc and I handled it very badly. To the point where shihan said that he cant teach me anymore and I needed to grow up.
I was the founding student of our dojo back then and was given my time out only a month before I was due to test for my shodan back then. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out, thrown it on the floor and stomped on it!
In those 8 years, NOT being part of my dojo was my black hole. I felt e3mpty. Everything I did lacked a purpose. So at the 10th anniversary dinner, which I was invited to, I had a very heart to heart talk with shihan and the end result is that I was able to get back to training. I have been back training now for maybe a year and a half?? When I first stepped back on the floor I was so nervous. I wore my white belt which I was more than happy to do as I thought this means starting over again, but no, I was still a 1st kyu and the senior 1st kyu at that as well. Very quickly I displayed that I remembered and could perform my required syllabus and was asked again to wear my Brown belt.
Now, my test for Shodan is 4 months away. I dont ever envisage quitting training after I have my shodan as I owe so much to my dojo family and to my shihan for teaching me such valuable lessons in life, and I am looking forward to learning so much more after this "1st step".

osu to everyone and respect to all

Greg

[seienchin]

gc33 - what a great story. Thanks for putting it up!

[sandman]

Osu!

I agree - thank you for sharing that with us gc33. Repped

[gc33]

OSU Sandman and Seienchin, thanks....and my story does come from my heart.

[bobh]

Originally Posted by gc33

Osu to all Sempai and fellow Karateka's here....[...]

Rep'd for sharing thoughtful post. osu

[vapor]

Some rep coming from me as well!

vapor

[FredInChina]

Insightful lessons that have value for both students and instructors on K4L.
Thank you for sharing with all of us

(repped)


Osu!

[Dent]

Osu!

GC33, repped for the clarity you have with regard to past, present and future!

Osu!

[Chakuriki]

I think this thread is testament to how fine a cadre of forum participants we have here at K4L....IMHO

I also think we did indeed hit all the important points on this discussion. I am sure "we" will still expound on the thread

I'd like to summarize this in my own words.

I think there are two elements to this issue, the personal and organizational. And the are obviously mutual. On the personal side earning, receiving and testing for Sho-dan should have been a satisfying experience. I leave satisfying up to a personal interpretation. I think its in the organizational side we find "the true meaning of the way."

On the organizational side I think that your Sempai or Sensei should be setting the tone for your continued training. And I think its a very healthy question to ask your self, "what do I do now?" Are you gonna become a competitor and a role model for the younger ones to look up to and admire? Are you gonna study and refine the way we teach? Maybe just become the biggest, badest dude in the school so others can test their mettle against yours. Maybe you are just the guy ( or lady ) who makes everyone feel comfortable starting out. I think if you look for your role as a new Sho-dan, you will continue to find satisfaction in your training.

So to bring this back to the threads theme: If you did not feel the testing was worthy of the effort and feel let down by it certainly you should communicate that to your Sensei. For that matter share all these matters with your Sensei! Sensei's are human too! Most are anyway. now that you are Sho-dan think of being a guide and a inspiration to others. I think there is enough of a challenge just in that alone.

Remeber Sho-dan really only means "first-level" and it is an achievement and you should feel as if it is. However is is my opinion it means little if you aren't using the rank to help others.....

OSU

[FredInChina]

Osu Chakuriki,

Repped for bringing forth the "give back" aspect, satisfaction and responsibility of shodan


Osu!

[Chakuriki]

OSU!

Thanks Fred-san

OSU!

[FredInChina]

Fear of success?

Marianne Williamson: Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

From Pressfield, Steven (2011-04-20). Do the Work


Osu!

[Dobbersky]

Strange, I was the only one of my group who continued training, I remember the girl who graded with me, there was only 2 from the original 12 she left within a few weeks of getting the certificate.I've not spoken to my old Sensei in years I don't even know if he still trains as he was looking at moving abroad. I know I'm still training I think its something like 1:40 grade from 1st to 2nd Dan etc so its just Karma I suppose, OSU