Black Belt?

   What kind of black belt will you be?

   In yesterdays IHC meeting, Master Brinker said something like, " not all people who have a black belt are actual black belts ", or something along those lines.

   Wow.

It continues to amaze me the levels of conscious thought and effort that are put into our training by the Masters of our school. Such an amazing and monumental amount of thought, effort, care, foresight, insight, etc...., we are very lucky students, in my opinion.

   To achieve that ultimate "goal" of a black belt. What does that mean to you? What does it mean to me? How far and deep in my life will I and can I dedicate myself to Kung Fu? Can I always uphold the standards and principles that our black belt code of ethics demand? Can I life a life of Mastery?

    I have to admit I had never really looked THAT far ahead or thought about the constant consequences of my choices. Do the demons of my past or the shadows of my future prevent me from rising above mediocrity? Am I hesitating to fully commit to Kung Fu for personal, moral, physical excuses?

   So many questions raised by 1 simple statement. Do I want A black belt or do I want to Be a black belt?

   This is one of the reasons I am in this school, constant self analysis and an unrelenting push away from the average towards the exceptional. I admit, I need some time to contemplate these questions. But they have been asked and I will find a way to answer.