Stronger Together
As a school teacher, watching a student live a lesson is one of my greatest rewards. Last week, a new student came into the school, but this little girl was feeling too shy to try karate. I know the feeling well. Joining class for the first time, there’s a lot to take in. Kenpo and jyu-jitsu are beautiful to watch, but trying it yourself can be daunting.
That’s why, for over forty years, our school has maintained this simple rule: make new students feel welcome. Each of us was a beginner at some point, welcomed into the school, and we all have a role in paying that forward to each and every new student that comes through our doors.
When that little girl came in last week, one of our black belts lived out this lesson. As class was getting going, this young black belt, only a few years removed from the little girl’s own age, hung back to work with the new student. She told her that no one was going to judge her, or laugh at her, because trying and failing are both part of learning, and everyone tries and fails on the path to skill and success. Then she taught the little girl something simple: how to make a fist. And voila! The little girl relaxed and joined in for the rest of class.
This young black belt stepped up to welcome the new student into the school without being asked or prompted. She did this simply because she understands its importance.
Hanging on the wall of the main dojo is “The Martial Artist’s Code.” While the words change slightly with various translations, the underlying meaning is the same. In its “Five Rules” and “Nine Virtues,” we see a common theme. At its core, the Code advises that we are stronger together than we are alone.
It’s easy to let the Code vanish into the background on the wall, passed by but never read. But being a student at the Independent Martial Arts School means paying attention, even to the little things, like when a new student needs a warm welcome. By coming together and supporting one another, we make our school greater than the sum of its parts.
This is what makes us strong.
Written by Hanshi Marsh
