Last Saturday we had the first of our biannual Black Belt Tests. Testing for first degree black belt is a day the student will remember for the rest of his or life. Through all the belts I’ve earned in my 26 years of training, earning my first black belt was the most memorable. Every time I witness a student earn black belt, I am inspired by them.
Find inspiration right in front of you
One student in particular has been training since 2007 when he was just 5 years old. You wouldn’t know it by watching his board breaking or sparring, but Daniel was born with cystic fibrosis.
Recently Daniel also received news that he has CFRD, or cystic fibrosis related diabetes. He has spent many, many days and nights in the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, N.Y., but not last Saturday. Last Saturday Daniel earned his first degree black belt at The Bushido School of Karate.
Inspiration for today’s post was right there in front of me! All of our students whom make it to test day are inspiring, no doubt about that. You can imagine though that Daniel’s story is over-the-top motivating! His parents always had hard decisions to make about his medical care, and his lifestyle. Their never-ending support of his reaching his goal of black belt proved to be a power of example for Daniel. When he was feeling disillusioned by poor health it would have been so easy to quit. His parents could have placated him and let him give-up. After all, karate classes were a lot tougher for him than healthier kids his age! But they remained encouraging, even when they were feeling just as discouraged as Daniel.
Daniel earned his first degree black belt last weekend but has always been a warrior at heart. Let his story inspire you to move, start and finish a goal. Encourage your kids to stick with it when they want to quit, and be a power of example for them. Especially when it’s easier to give in!