The Blue Test

As I have prepared for my blue belt test an interesting thing happened in my thinking. I no longer began to be so concerned about how to do the technique but how to control what ever I was doing in order to not hurt the partner I was working with. I also began to view some things differently. Much of this I can’t describe as it has to be experienced by each individual martial artist as they learn.

The closer to the test day I got, the more nervous I became. I make my family crazy when I am going to test because I worry about it so much! Thanks to them for putting up with me.

My test today was grueling. I have been fighting a pinched nerve in my left shoulder for the past 3-4 weeks. I’ve tried everything: Ice, massage, heat, Epsom salt baths, chiropractor trips, and neuro-muscular massage from my wonderful massage therapist Mia. Nothing worked. I almost called off the test this morning because I had such limited mobility. I wondered if I was being selfish to my instructors by pursuing what I wanted so badly that I would not reflect their quality teaching. I knew I could do the test and knew the techniques, but my fear was of lowering the quality of our test in the eyes of my fellow students. I didn’t want to let them down.

It was quite the opposite today in that they all lifted me up. I can’t even describe how wonderful the encouraging words I received from my classmates today made me feel. My instructors guided me, reminded me of important things like not to think so much and breath! It’s so funny. The most common advice I give to our students testing is to remember to breath and today I was receiving the same advice! God continues to remind me of humility and perseverance.

I can honestly say we have the greatest martial arts family in the world. The Godly love and encouragement supersedes any technique that could be learned. My instructors and classmates truly show the love of Christ and of all the things we learn, this is the most important.

So, here is a big THANK YOU to my family at home and my family at martial arts. I couldn’t have done it without you.


With much love,
Lisa