From white to black

Tonight we had our second to last class before becoming white belts. I can’t believe how fast time has gone by since I started. My instructor Kate said that where some people have beer goggles, she has black-belt goggles; and she could see each and every one of us going on to earn our black belts.

She mentioned that earlier in her teaching career, she would make guesses as to who would excel at kung fu—that some students learned more quickly—but she doesn’t do that any longer. Over the years, she’s seen that it doesn’t depend on strength, or flexibility, or coordination, or intelligence. What determines who progresses and who doesn’t comes down to one thing. Those who train twice a week—regardless of what advantages or disadvantages they come in with—are the ones who advance.

When we finished class, Kate asked us if we’ve noticed any change in our behavior since the beginning of the series. When I thought about it, a smile came across my face. I’m still far from being the Queen of Assertiveness, but I think it has changed me in small ways. I am more direct, less apologetic. I’m more confident in taking up space.