It’s a Marathon,Not a Sprint

The other day, I was warming up on the mat, getting ready for my BJJ class.

A buddy of mine made a comment that took me aback,

“I better get my blue belt soon!”

I ask him what he means.

He says it feels like he’s been a white belt for 10 years and he’s been working hard to get his next belt.

I just nod my head.

Since I’ve only been with the school for 4 months, I don’t know how long he’s been a white belt.

And to be honest, I don’t care.

Not my decision as to when he’s ready.

But I do know one thing…

Try Softer

When I began training in martial arts in the 80s, one of the first books I bought was Zen in the Martial Arts by Joe Hyams.

Zen in the Martial Arts

It’s a great book.

I recommend you get it even if you never step on the mat, a ton of life lessons in that little book.

Here’s one of them…

A young boy traveled across Japan to the school of a famous martial artist.
When he arrived at the dojo he was given an audience by the sensei.
“What do you wish from me?” the master asked.
“I wish to be your student and become the finest karateka in the land,” the boy replied. “How long must I study?”
“Ten years at least,” the master answered.
“Ten years is a long time,” said the boy. “What if I studied twice as hard as all your other students?”
“Twenty years,” replied the master.
“Twenty years! What if I practice day and night with all my effort?”
“Thirty years,” was the master’s reply.
“How is it that each time I say I will work harder, you tell me that it will take longer?” the boy asked.
“The answer is clear. When one eye is fixed upon your destination, there is only one eye left with which to find the Way.”​

Hyams, Joe. Zen in the Martial Arts (p. 88). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

I was lucky that I read this as a young man in my 20s.

It helped me to have healthier expectations as I pursued goals in my life.

I shared the story with my buddy on the mat that day, whether he takes it in or not is up to him.

But maybe you will.