An Exciting Time

I was reading some comments and posts at a blog when I suddenly realized, "what an exciting time!" This blog is hosted by a fledgling Sho-dan who is entering into the Yu-dan-sha realm with enthusiasm and a joy only a new black belt can experience ..... except ..... the yang of this yin attitude is much to often the case with new black belts.

New black belts as a whole find that they seemingly reached the end of their journey. Soon, they will disappear from the dojo. This is one of those things that separates the cream from the milk. The cream is sweet and delicious but for the long term the milk is where it is at - a bit plain but nutritious.

I remember the time I finally wrapped the black belt around my waist. I remember distinctly the entire event. It is like Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island, you remember details even after thirty-nine years. The excitement was like being on a high that had complete awareness and focus on the time and moment, it was special.

I also remember that I felt this way for many years after Sho-dan. I was lucky that I had a view and perception that kept me looking, seeking and diving for more every single day. That first day as a yu-dan-sha has stayed with me all these years - thirty-three years ago on Okinawa. I can visualize the dojo at the Camp Hansen Gym, that little square room that we built our system from at the rear of the main gym floor where all the sport activities such as basketball, etc. were played. I remember the slight cheshire cat smile Henry Sensei used when he spoke to me before taking his obi off and passing it along to me.

Even tho this was not such a special act, giving me his old, worn, faded obi, it was significant as it put me into a place that in all probability resulted in my view for my entire career. It said, this denotes experience and proficiency - I had better get on the ball if I am to live up to this symbol from Sensei.

I have heard many such stories about the obi presented at Sho-dan and they all have meaning to the individual. It is just a wish that the time would inspire those who stopped training to have continued. Ahh, but that is not life and not the way. Like the Marines, if everyone could be one then it would not be the elite, the Marines.

If everyone could wear the meaning of sho-dan then everyone would be a sho-dan. It is nice to read the blog of the fledgling sho-dan. It is inspiring and it reminds those who have previously passed this way of the joy so long ago and it inspires those who are or are about to put it on the joy of what they will encounter long after that first black belt.

Tank said it well, "It is an exciting time."