The smartest thing I ever did... (Starting over)

[SyracuseJundokan]

I see a lot of threads here about "starting over" and giving up rank, etc.

The smartest thing I ever did when joining Jundokan was to walk into the dojo with a white belt on. I didn't see it as "starting over", I saw it as recognizing that I had an opportunity to be a beginner again and to set my mind to learning everything through a beginner's eyes. Additionally, the dojo seniors took me under their wing in a way that they may not have done had I worn my black belt. Within a (relatively) short amount of time, I had earned a Jundokan dan grade and it continues to mean much more to me than when I see others who simply walked in with high dan grades and were "recertified" in their new style.

The problem is that people consider their belt color a rank and not a grade. A rank indicates position and hierarchy and other things that are painful to give up. A grade indicates your ability level in karate and is specific to the style and school you are attending. To wear a grade belt that does not match this ability level is presumptious and will only get in the way of your progress.

So my advice is: let it go and let others see you for who you are and not what color your belt is. You are not starting over, you are adding to your experience.

$.02 for you!!

[cheeks]

you see i didnt understand this at first, so i found a lot of the threads you were refering to...

this would not have crossed my mind, in my opinion if you are going to a new school then you should start over, i would never have thought to do other wise.

you should not be scared of learning, and of being a beginer, if you ego doesn't allow this then you have no place in the Martial Arts

[shotochem]

A very good post SJ. I agree with your personal philosophy on the grade and rank. It's all about learning and improving.

I will most likely take my Shodan grading within the next 6 months or so (scheduling is tough this time of year). I have been procrastinating for a while and have not been anxious to grade any time soon. The turning point for me was my dojomates telling me as far as we are concerned you are a BB already inside and outside you have nothing to prove to us.

Just please take the test already your making us look bad!!!!

That respect from those I train and learn with is worth more to me than a piece of cloth. That one statement changed and re-dedicated me I

WILL grade!!!

[SaiFightsMS]

Excellant thread and great food for thought.

[karatekid1975]

I walked into one of my sister schools yesterday for a sparring clinic/class. A friend, a 3rd dan in more than one art, and a great martial artist. Next minute, she put on a white belt (even after she helps me with forms technique) for a Tai Chi class. Man, that blew me away. She is such a humble person (She knows who I'm talking about ).

[Fish]

Always be ready to learn!