Sunday, 16 January 2022

Qualities of a Blackbelt

What are qualities of a Blackbelt?  No matter what belt level you are at, you should ask yourself this question. It is important to identify the qualities that resinate with you and why.  My previous blog had listed Blackbelt qualities as 1) determination 2) perseverance 3) leadership and caring 4) attention to detail.  These are still qualities that I admire in a Blackbelt but the last has morphed into "eye for detail".  

An eye for detail is the ability to remove your ego and look at things with an outsiders prospective.  An eye for detail is being brutally honest with yourself.  Honest about areas of improvement and then putting a plan in place to rectify.  Honest about your flaws but not accepting them as "good enough".  A blackbelt does not hide nor do they boast about their flaws.  They are always looking to improve upon them.  They know that you never obtain mastery, it is a relentless pursuit towards mastery.

I have reflected on these qualities many times over my Kung Fu journey but I wished I would have journaled about them when I did my reflections.  I have lost the ability to go back and review so I can only rely on my memories and these change over time.  There have been quite a few things that I also missed journalling during this year that documented my journey.  The weekly kicks on Sunday's with the Bjorkquists, the sparring rounds at home with my sons, having Sifu Brinker come in and watch my kicks or my 5 techniques over the Christmas break and the opportunity to get valuable feedback. The 1-1s that I used to help with improving the speed of my kicks, the intensity in my forms, the connection of 6 harmonies as it was not long ago that I had to focus on my returning hand's rotation to connect my left and right.  

The qualities of a Blackbelt are not only important with your Kung Fu training and journey but with anything that you tackle in life.  It is the foundation that allows for the pursuit to mastery in all things.

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