Past the Black Belt

The New Year brings many new changes into our lives.

Yesterday, my husband was promoted to black belt at Silent River Kung Fu. An incredible and momentous occasion, made better by the friends and family we shared it with. I remember receiving my own black belt 5 years ago and the changes it brought to me, and I hope it brings great things for him as well.

In China, we trained without belts and without rank besides that of who your kung fu 'uncle or aunt', 'grandfather', and older 'sibling' might be. That's the great thing about something like getting your black belt. It's not necessarily the completion of something, but rather the end of using your rank to drive you. Instead you are forced to look for other motivation to better yourself. You can start looking deeper at what you're doing and why. Find out what things are serving your training and start to implement your own program. This is where I really started to become a martial artist.

For years in China we were driven to train. It was mandatory attendance and the practice was dictated completely. This is what you do. Do it now, and don't ask questions. Then, in our last year, all the rules were taken away. You don't have to go to class anymore. You don't have to practice anything in particular, and if you want to improve, figure it out on your own.

Unfortunately, this is usually where people lose their way. Someone that is dependent on structure and outside leadership, is suddenly floundering, unsure of their direction. But this is the opportunity you are given so that you can learn who you are and what you want to be. A fellow black belt said a couple of weeks ago, "you need have someone to compete with and compare yourself to in order to become better, but that person should be you." Perfectly eloquent.