Simply showing up is not enough
KAMLOOPS — Over the weekend, our youngest had a karate testing for green belt. He became appropriately nervous as the day drew nearer, but also told me that he is looking at it as if it is another class in which he has to deliver his best; much like he is expected to do in every class. It’s hard work but there’s a progression of skill learning that feeds into a healthy sense of motivation.
If you show up, do your best, otherwise there’s no point to it; their sensei emphasizes the concept every chance he gets. Do your best, no matter what, whether there’s someone assessing your performance or not. When the day comes to show your knowledge and skills, you’ll stand a good chance to achieve your best. Or, if you fail, know what you need to work at.
Then the big day came. Mostly kids but a couple of adults too were being tested on various level belts, from white to purple (which comes before the green.) I wish I could say everyone passed and all in attendance celebrated with smiles and applauses at the end, but that is not the case. Some of the kids did not.
To clarify, the testing is not a stiff process. There is guidance during the test, suggestions on how to best perform certain moves, and you are allowed a few tries. Still, not everyone passes. That is almost unheard of in today’s learning environment for children (teenagers too.) But not getting something such as a higher belt level in martial arts, or a qualification for a sport, or a good mark at school, that serves a purpose. A teacher’s purpose (by that I mean all adults involved with teaching children, as well as parents) is to guide through that. Showing up does not guarantee success. With hard work you stand a better chance.