The belts don't make the Martial Artist!

This week is our Gup testing week (aka Belt Promotion week) at our Dojang. It started with the weekend Tiny Tigers and yesterday our brave and strong women endured a 2-hour test for their next rank.

After the test was over, some of our sisters posted on Aqabah's Fan Page how they felt they did. I am sure everyone was nervous and are worried about the results (my wife included since she also tested for her next gup).

Because of this, I wanted to share with everyone a few words about testing and belts in general. It is short and sweet...

"Remember the belt does not mean anything, it simply holds your pants up. The road to Black Belt is not represented by belt colors and stripes. It is represented by hard work and perseverance. Whether you passed or failed, that's not the point, the point is you continue to push forward. That makes a true martial artist!"

With that said, we are proud of each and everyone of you for embarking on this journey known as martial arts, few begin and even fewer complete the journey.

Remember you are defying the odds by simply having the energy and desire to attend classes and train.

Regardless of the outcome, everyone is AWESOME!!! There is no belt color that can measure awesomeness, not even Black Belt....

Here is another gem you guys can appreciate that will put things into perspective if my words failed to do so... ;-)


"Mental bearing (calmness), not skill, is the sign of a matured samurai. A Samurai therefore should neither be pompous nor arrogant." ~ Tsukahara Bokuden

and

"Given enough time, any man may master the physical. With enough knowledge, any man may become wise. It is the true warrior who can master both....and surpass the result." ~ Tien T'ai