The story of the wrist band

Several years ago in our leadership meeting we came up with the idea to use wrist bands as a way of encouragement for our students. It never occurred to me how this small idea would affect me in such a extraordinary way.

Let me explain the concept. When you test and receive your color belt you also receive a wrist band of the same color to wear on your left hand. As you continue in rank the idea is to pass the wrist band to someone else as you make rank. For example: you test for white and receive your white wrist band, later you test for yellow and receive your yellow wrist band. You would then pass your white wrist band to someone who is working toward their white belt. They would wear the wrist band they received from someone that is to be their next color belt on their right wrist. Clear as mud?

It must be understood that in Tao Heish Wu Shu when you test for your belt rank and pass you know you have accomplished something. Each test is incrementally more difficult than the last test. Our tests are designed to be so difficult that you must rely on God to get through them. The further up in rank the more specific the test is geared to you personally. They are challenging and fun. I am often amazed when I watch a lower rank test to think, “Hey, I passed that test. That’s really cool.” Of course, I then think about the test to come and realize how much work I have to go.

But back to my story, I have passed down each of my wrist bands to someone in class that was working to obtain that belt level. Someone I wanted to encourage and push to reach the next level. Truthfully, I have concentrated on the ladies in our school because I have to enjoyed watching them blossom with confidence, strength and courage.

I have had several belt buddies over the years. Some who are no longer with us due to work…I miss you Jeff Rainwater and others due to family constraints. But one belt buddy in particular the past couple of years has remained in class and is a friend, adopted little brother and the hardest uke I’ve ever had! If you are in class then you know I’m talking about Rich Quiones. He had previous martial arts experience and was able to really help me prepare for my blue belt test. His encouragement and support really made a difference.

Rich tested for his red belt this past testing cycle. He had an amazing test despite injuries but the end of the test was the most surprising to me. You see, he passed his red belt wrist band to me. I was overwhelmed with emotion as it meant so much to me. This wasn’t just his wrist band. My son Luke had presented this same wrist band to Rich when he passed his red belt test. And before that, Sensei Van Thompson gave it to Luke upon receiving his black belt wrist band. Van earned this wrist band and wore it until he tested for black. Luke wore it preparing for his red as did Rich. Now I’m wearing that same wrist band while I prepare for my red belt test. This is a wrist band with history. It gives me encouragement every time I look at it to know the others before me accomplished the same goal I am working toward. How cool is that?

I’ve worn my blue wrist band almost daily since it was presented to me on my blue belt test. It reminds me that I can accomplish what ever I put my mind to. It is a symbol of many hours of training, overcoming injuries, blood, sweat and tears and three years of hard work. But, I gave it away last night. It was quite by accident.

I was sitting in church waiting on our guest speaker Larry Mudd http://www.muddinyoureye.org/ to come in. He came in the back of the auditorium shaking hands and beginning his story taking about colors. When he stopped in front of me he noticed my bright blue wrist band and asked if he could wear it. I know that I looked like a deer stopped by bright lights and I stammered as I hesitated to answer him. My first thought was, “No, it took me too long to get this. I’ll fight you for it!” But, I gave it to him explaining that it represented 3 years of hard work in martial arts. He said he would give it back to me.

But, as he spoke I thought about the meaning of the wrist band. To show encouragement, strength, motivation, and love and to reflect the love of friends in our life. Isn’t this one of many attributes of Christ. Christ worked so hard for us and ultimately died for us. My three years of work pales in comparison to His life on the cross. But I do know that Christ wants us to serve others, to encourage them and lift them up. I can’t imagine being a full time minister, ministry leader or speaker for Christ. I often wonder who ministers to them? Shouldn’t that be our job as Christian martial artists to encourage others in all capacities regardless if it is in martial arts or life. So I gave my blue wrist band to Larry in hopes that in some way my blue wrist band, the reflection of my blood sweat and tears will encourage him as he continues to speak across the country about the light of Christ. Maybe there is someone in Larry’s future that will need a physical symbol of the love of Christ and His fight for us that he will pass this wrist band on to. It will be interesting to see.