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Is Black Belt The End?

by Senior Master William J. Babin
7th Degree Black Belt

     The young manager sat nervously in the interview.  Five years had passed  since he began his career with this corporation.  Finally, an opportunity had appeared in which he could move up and become a junior executive.  This interview would make the difference.
     He felt prepared and qualified.  After all, had devoted his entire life for the past five years to the company.  He came to work diligently and punctually.  He was rarely sick, and although he did take vacations, he did so reluctantly.  He performed his duties, over and over again, with precision.  Indeed, he had mastered his function.  In fact, he had reached that point of mastery shortly after his first anniversary on the job.
     Now, four years later, he hoped to be given responsibility for the progress of others, and of course, more money and prestige.  He waited anxiously for the panel's response.
     "Mr. Harrell, what do you know about the planning department's function?"
     "They're in Building 210, Sir!"  Harrell answer excitedly.
     Mr. Harrell, we cannot recommend you to the Planning Department as a potential executive when you know nothing more of their function than WHERE they are located.  You believe you have five years of experience with our company, but what you really have is ONE year of experience done FIVE times.  Yes, you have done your job well.  But what have you done to improve your own skills?  What have you done to learn more about our company beyond your own function?  Learning is a lifelong activity, a task that never ends.  But learning is also fun.  It expands the mind, as well as builds skills.  Seek opportunities to learn and expand your knowledge and abilities before you reapply for another promotion."
     And so it ends, Mr. Harrell's first attempt at becoming an executive.  Let me ask you, now, those of you who are almost black belts:  what are you going to do now to continue your journey of learning?  Are you going to pick up the challenge of being a Black Belt?  Are you going to continue your training to higher levels of discipline and concentration?  Or are you going to let your skills grow old?  Are you going to let your knowledge and experience simply be repeated every year?
     If 1st degree black belt is the END of your training, then why are there NINE degrees of Black Belt?
     If twirling the Bahng Mahng Ee is all there is to know about the short stick, then why is there a FORM to learn?
     Think of the challenges of Protech!  What excitement lies in learning the subtleties of Bahng Mahng Ee, Ssahng Jeol Bong, Janhg Bong, Sahm Dahm Bong (tri-sectional staff), and Jee Pahng Ee (cane).
     Think of the challenges of learning a form that's twice as long as any other you've learned.  What patience and concentration will you develop?
     Think of the challenges of leadership in the SWAT, Junior Training Instructor, or Training Instructor program.  What satisfaction lies ahead for you as YOU actually help someone else achieve Black Belt?
     Positive answers to these questions lead you down the path of black belt.  What fun and excitement await you as you continue your journey, knowing that 1st Degree Black Belt is not the end of your training, but the beginning of a whole new path of discovery.  As Grand Master Sang Kyu Shim has said so well: "The true martial artist learns to appreciate the doing.  The process never ends."
     To those who are testing for Black Belt today, I ask:  Five years from now, when someone asks you about your martial arts background, will you be able to say, "I am a Black Belt"? Or will you say: "I got my Black Belt in 1998"?
     Will you be able to demonstrate that over the past FIVE years you have advanced your knowledge and developed your skills?  Will you be able to show that have BECOME MORE of a Black Belt than you were five years ago?
     Or will you simply relive the experience of getting your Black Belt, over and over again, every time someone asks you "Do you know karate?"
     To help you down this exciting path, we have created special advanced training classes in four different areas:  FORMS, SPARRING, LEADERSHIP, and PROTECH.  As Black Belts, these are the classes you need to attend.
     There is no luck involved in earning a Black Belt, so I won't say "Good luck; have a good testing."  Simply relax, allow yourself to focus, and let it happen.
     Remember your Taekwondo comes out of YOU in the same way a song comes out of an accomplished singer.  It is a beautiful expression of talent, filled with passion.  Let that be true of your performance today.

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