My name is Levi Sweeney, and I am 18 years old. I have held the rank of
first degree black belt for three years. It took me many years of hard work to
achieve that rank, and now I am prepared to ascend to the next level. It took
me about five years of hard work to get to first degree, and three more years
of the same to get to second degree. In short, I’ve come a long way, learned a
lot of things, and have gotten to know a lot of people. Without these
experiences, my life would be very different. In this time period, the dojang
has become another home to me. This is not just because I’ve spent a lot of
time there, but because of whom I spent that time with. I’ve learned much, but
I’m only at the beginning. I’m only beginning to learn what it means to be a
black belt. As one of our school’s many mottos says, “It’s not what’s tied
around your waist, but what you did to get there.”
The first thing to
understand about being a black belt is that a black belt has a specific outlook
on life. The black belt must always adhere to the five tenets of taekwondo;
courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit, and self control. Moreover,
the black belt must learn to incorporate into his or her personality other,
more far ranging qualities which stem from these tenets. From courtesy comes
respect. From integrity comes goodwill. From perseverance comes commitment. Indomitable spirit and self control are two sides of the same
coin: With an indomitable spirit, black belts will never allow anyone to
control them but themselves. With self control, black belts will be able to
dominate themselves. To be a black belt is to be defined by these traits, as
the black belts themselves define their school and their teachers.
The
second thing to understand about being a black belt is that a black belt must act like a black belt- both on and off
the mats. The black belt must personify all of the previously mentioned traits,
and they must be evident in his or her life. For if a black belt does not
behave like a black belt, is he or she really a black belt at all? Again, “It’s
not what’s tied around your waist, but what you did to get there.” Whether it’s
helping people in need, showing respect to others, or simply saying, “Thank
you,” the black belt’s actions are highly important. They demonstrate not just
the quality of their character, but the quality of their instruction. As it
says in the Bible, in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but
everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Black belts must
also honor their teachers, not only in taekwondo, but also in life; that is,
black belts must honor their parents. At Lee’s Martial Arts, one of the first
things that new white belts learn are the Children’s home rules, which dictate
how students must treat their parents. Black belts should be above reproach
when it comes to these rules. They should not only talk like black belts, but
walk like black belts.
Finally, a black
belt should strive to be a good example to lower ranking belts. This is harder
to accomplish than it seems. It requires black belts to mind their actions, to
take stock of their strengths and weaknesses. They must be extra mindful of
their conduct, seeking to be fitting exemplars of everything good. They must be
willing to be teachers themselves, whether simply as assistant instructors or
as more hands on mentors to bodans and other lower ranking belts. They must be
gracious, patient, hardworking, and kind. Above all, they must be good. If the
lower belts see black belts going about their business, they must be able to
learn something from what they see. They must be able to see a model of
behavior, a standard worth achieving, a beacon calling them to be more than
just students. Black belts should inspire others to be black belt-like.
I have come far in
my journey to second degree black belt. I feel like I have earned it, and I’m
proud to have accomplished so much. I remember starting as a white belt,
working my way up through the ranks, and finally attaining the rank of first
degree black belt. I have not only become
a black belt, but I also am a black
belt. But I didn’t do it all by myself. I couldn’t have done anything without
the help of my instructors, my fellow students, and my friends, all of whom
have become a second family to me. For now, I plan to continue in my study of
taekwondo, but I also am interested in possibly studying a different martial
art, such as parkour, krav maga, or kenjutsu. But that’s in the future. For
now, I am content to be a black belt, and to bear all of the responsibilities which
accompany that role. Being a black belt is accepting those responsibilities, and
dutifully acting on them.
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