Life as a White Belt

Ms. Csillags blog about bowing in made me think back to when I was a white belt. I remember not knowing when to bow. I remember thinking Sifu Stoddard was Sifu's daughter, it probably took me about 6 months to realize that her and Sifu Brinker were not related. I remember asking Sifu Playter (male) a question and being so confused when he told me to go talk to Sifu Player. I remember hiding in the back as much as possible because I was horribly uncoordinated and so embarrassed. I remember Sifu Shipalesky patiently trying to teach me how to do a spinning back kick for an ENTIRE class and telling me "good job" when I still didn't get it by the time we bowed out. I remembering Ms. Csillag being the first student to come talk to me. Everything we do in that school will impact someone else whether it is positive or negative. I clearly remember those who helped me as a new student. We all have different fears and insecurities so being empathetic to those within the kwoon is just as important as anyone else. Even as we move up the rank the fears and insecurities are still there, they just may change to something different. So nomatter what, if you see someone struggling, be a friend and kindly encourage them, any discouraging word may just drive someone to give up. I know that if the Sifu's I first had not shown me the patience and respect they did, I wouldn't be here typing this blog.