earn my black belt

Earned my green belt with blue stripe tonight.

Honestly, though, in the last month or so I’ve really stopped caring about my belt color. I know what I know, and I don’t know what I don’t know (a lot more than what I know), and that doesn’t change regardless of my belt.

The belt may reflect what I know to the outside world, but it in no way defines what I know. And since I’m doing martial arts for me, and no one else, I’m not particularly concerned with reflecting what I know to the outside world.

So, I’ll wear the belt, out of respect for the school and for the positive effect it has on other people, but I’m not really fired up any more for new belts for my own sake.

I even considered eliminating this goal, but I think I’ll keep it around anyway.

Looks like I never noted when I got my yellow/black belt. Now I’ve skipped orange and on to green.

Thanks to an auto accident and a broken arm, I haven’t been able to do Kung Fu in a while, but I’m trying to progress some by watching movies, reading books, and meditating.

I’m rubbing my sore legs and wondering why I do this to myself. I went 39 years without knowing how to kick anyone, never wanted to, never needed to. I won’t quit, though.

I got my yellow belt tonight. Another step up the ladder.

So, as of tonight I officially have a white belt. Not much a guess, but it’s a start. It may be the first rung on the ladder, but both feet are off the ground.

My muscles are starting to adapt to the motions and stances of Kung Fu, so I’m feeling more confident and capable as I go about learning. I’m starting to enjoy punching the bags.

Outside of class I have doubts whether we’ll continue beyond 6 months. It’s shaking up the schedule status quo getting both of us to class two nights a week. Something has to give, and it looks like the other fitness activities I love will suffer.

But when I’m in class I having such a good time, learning so much, and getting noticeably stronger and more flexible, that the doubts don’t seem so bad.

So who knows what the future will bring. I guess I really shouldn’t worry about it, and leave the 6 month decision in the future where it belongs.

My second week as a “white belt”, in quotes because I haven’t even bought the belt yet. Mixed martial arts, primarily kung fu with (I’m guessing) some karate and tae kwan do mixed in.

Having fun and learning so far, but I suppose this one’s going to sit in my 43 things for a while!