Blue belt grading just two weeks away… tick, tick, tick….
Just two weeks to go, and yes, the time is ticking by. I can feel the anticipation of the upcoming test. Like most (normal?) human beings, my moods change, there are moments when I feel total confidence in my forms and techniques, and then there are times when I feel like a elderly fool, trying to live up to the expectations others. However, I always end up reminding myself that a year ago I wouldn’t even have considered studying a martial art. Yet, here I am seven months after starting my Kuk Sool Won journey and I’m about to test for my blue belt!
The buzz seeking teenager (from long ago) in me, is still looking forwards to the challenge. But I’m just one of many students who face changing their belt colour from yellow to blue. After my last grading it felt so good to arrive at Do-jang sporting my yellow belt, and have other students comment on how nice your new belt, so I know it’s going to be even better with my blue belt.
After my grading, I’ll be released from all this pent up pre-grading stress and I’ll have to face the sweet music of the event. I Just hope that I will be hearing a lot of positive music, regardless of the outcome, because I’m going to be doing my best that day, my very best. There just isn’t any more than that to give. I’ve been training extra these past few weeks for the test, and I’ve seen a lot of improvement.
So, since I’ll be doing my very best, I can’t help but feel proud of myself.
An amusing tale for you:
On the day of my blue belt grading I was so nervous, Im sure you remember it well yourself that feeling, wanting the blue belt so much. You’ve trained your hardest, even been practicing at home, and despite the nerves and anxiety you’re up for it. (after a few more wee’s and not being able to eat because you’re close to vomiting with nerves).
I was on my way to pick up my training partner when I totalled my company car!! It was an open road, sunny, perfect driving conditions. What happened you ask? I was going through my techniques in my head in a complete daydream and drove into the back of a stationery vehicle at 60mph. Nobody was injured, the insurance companies paid out for the damage and I still got to and completed my grading in Halesworth.
The moral of the story:
“There is no need to practice your techniques on the day of the grading while driving. If you don’t know them by then its too late anyway” !!
When I told KJN Martin (Then PSBN) he said good job I wasn’t late or I would have got 400 push-ups! I’m sure he’ll remember it if you ask him!