There was a student studying the martial arts.
One day the student asked his instructor how long it would take to achieve the rank of black belt.
The instructor responded that it would take two years. The student then asked how long it would
take to advance to black belt if he practised twice as hard and twice as long every day.
The instructor responded that it would take four years.
Puzzled, the student then asked how long it would take to advance to black belt if he practised four
times as hard and four times as long every day.
The instructor responded that it would take eight years.
Even more puzzled, the student then asked how long it would take to advance to black belt if he
practised eight times as hard and eight times as long every day.
The instructor responded that it would take sixteen years.
The student, feeling very frustrated at this point, asked why it would take longer to earn a black
belt when he was trying harder and practising constantly to earn it.
The instructor responded "If you have one eye constantly on the black belt, that only leaves one eye
to focus on what you are currently learning."
The point to take from this is don't get too caught up in thinking about the next belt after the one
you are preparing for, but to keep your focus where it belongs and be the best at the level you are
currently at. Everything you learn is the foundation for what you will learn next.
Build strong foundations and strive for excellence in what you are doing at this moment.
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Do not take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
It is fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love.
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it to tightly.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams is to be without hope.
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life so fast that you forget not only where you have been but also where you are going.
Life is not a race but a journey to be savoured each step of the way.
"The teaching of one virtuous person can influence many; that which has been learned well
by one generation can be passed on to a hundred." -- Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo (1860-1938)
"Follow not in the footsteps of the masters, but rather seek what they sought"
"A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist.
Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude."-Rick English
"My instructor once told me that the first five dan ranks come for what you've gotten out of the system,
the next ranks come for what you've given back."
"In true budo there is no enemy or opponent. True budo is to become one with the universe,
not train to become powerful or to throw down some opponent. Rather we train in hopes
of being of some use, however small our role may be, in the task of bringing peace to mankind around the world."
- Morihei Ueshiba
"The black belt is not a mark or symbol of the end of the journey to ones mastery of the arts;
rather it is the mark that one is done packing for their journey and may now take the first step
in their true journey. This a journey which can not ever be complete, only traveled..."
"There are two rules for being successful in Martial Arts.
Rule 1: Never tell others everything you know."
"a one sided martial artist is a blind martial artist"-unknown
"Pain is the best instructor, but no one wants to go to his class."
Choi, Hong Hi Founder of Taekwon-Do
"He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position" -Ed Parker
"Physical boards are easy to break, it's the mental ones we struggle with."~anom.
"A punch should stay like a treasure in the sleeve. It should not be used indiscrimately."
~ Master Chotoku Kyan
"Truth is universal. Perception of truth is not."
"No one nation or people has a monopoly on the sun and no one art or system has a monopoly on truth."
- Mike Casto
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