My son inspires me, I’ve learned a lot from him over the last 10 years, and he’s only 15.
When he was 5, as parents we decided to get him involved with martial arts. Our thinking, was that it would help build his confidence and give him the tools to warn off any potential bullies as he grew up.
We took our time and did our research, and found a great local karate club (Valley Shorai), which taught youngsters with a smile. Yes discipline and respect where very much required, but Sensei Neil Holroyd, also makes it fun for both younger kids and his adult students.
Samuel has amazed us with his dedication, effort and ability. In the last 10 years, we have seen many children come and go. Usually they stick around until they are or 12 or 13, and then move on to other interests as they grow up and become teenagers.
But not Samuel, he has kept the burning desire to pass his first Dan grading and win his black belt. And through pig headed perseverance and determination, yesterday, he achieved his goal.
It’s taken him 10 years of dedicated training, grading’s and competitions, to get to this point. And yesterday’s Dan grading was the pinnacle, the ‘1 THING’ he has focused on.
But it wasn’t easy, 6 hours of intense activities ending with sparring. But not any old sparring, sparring against first 2 others and then 3 others. Showing that he’s able to fend off, not just 1 attacker, but a gang of attackers.
Along the way, some amazing things have happened. He now gives back to the sport, and teaches Sensei Neil’s younger students, 3 or 4 times a week. And every Saturday morning he is learning to be a match referee, through Sensei Neil’s guidance.
Yes, Samuel has achieved his ‘1 THING’. But for him it doesn’t end here, as he has just set a new ‘1 THING’, which is to go on further in the sport and achieve another black belt (2nd Dan).
Joe Tierney, the grand master of Shorai (this style of karate) is an 8th Dan, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Samuel has a secret ‘1 THING’, to eventually achieve the same level.
Samuel inspires me, because he set his ‘1 THING’, and after 10 years of pig headed perseverance and determination (not to mention skill and ability), he has achieved it.
It proves, we can all eventually achieve our own goals (either personal or business), when we show this level of focus and determination over time.
