Hello and welcome back to Second Chance to Live. Thank you for deciding to stop by to visit with me. In today’s article, I would like to share what happened when circumstances changed my plans. Plans that I had been working on diligently during the past 8 years. During the past 8 years, I have been training towards being able to test for my black belt in a style called international martial arts and boxing. In November I completed and passed an 8-hour long progress check to qualify to enter a 10-month long process called the black belt cycle.
In November 2008 I completed and passed an 6 1/2 hour long progress check to qualify to enter a 10-month long process called the black belt cycle. Three weeks later my Sensei met with me and told me that I have passed the 6 1/2 hour long progress check to enter the black belt cycle.
The cycle process began January 1, 2009, and I was fired up to begin the 10-month long process to test for my black belt in October 2009. And then on February 3, 2009, I hurt my right knee. To make a long story short I saw an orthopedist, had an MRI and discovered that I had a tear in my meniscus. Tears in the medial meniscus and the anterior hood of the lateral meniscus of my right knee. During the past 2 – 3 weeks I have been back training at the martial arts school while avoiding activities that could further damage my knee.
When Circumstances Changed my Plan and Dream of Testing for my Black Belt
Today March 24, I met with my sports medicine Doctor. After discussing my MRI and the meniscus tear with my Doctor, I asked him a series of questions. When all was done and said my Doctor told me that if I continued in the black belt cycle — given the intensity of training required — I was asking for trouble. With the news I experienced some sadness over not being able to train toward obtaining my black belt in October, but happy to hear that I could continue training in the martial arts.
As I have processed the reality of my knee being injured and not being able to test for my black belt in October 2009 I experienced some mixed emotions. In the process of sorting through my emotions, my goal as a martial artist changed — from obtaining my black belt — to growing as a martial artist.
My goal (s) for training in the martial arts has evolved over time. My priorities have changed. At one point obtaining the next belt was the goal and then the journey became more important than any belt. As I approached the possibility of a new door opening I focused on obtaining my black belt. With my knee injury and not being able to continue in the black belt cycle, my focus has changed back to enjoying the process, growing as a martial artist and developing my focus.
With my change of focus, I became encouraged by the possibilities. In the next several months I will continue to train in various martial arts that do not necessitate pivoting and torching.
And who knows what my future holds in the martial arts. Hmm!!!
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” Helen Keller
Today’s Thought
I have good news for you. Although one door of happiness may have closed on you — be encouraged — my friend. Possibilities exist. By letting go of our plans — when they do not go as we would like — we can open our hands and our heart and know that they will be filled.
Although one door of happiness may have closed for you, my friend, be encouraged for another will open for you.
We can trust the process because we don’t have to have the big picture. We can let go and know that we will get what we need. We will be led towards the light. We will know what we need to know.
We can trust the process, a loving God and ourselves because possibilities never die.
UPDATE: October 30, 2016
I worked on rehabbing my right knee through walking an indoor pool — forwards and backward — for an hour 3-4 times a week. I also engaged in other exercises to strengthen my knee. After being diligent to working on my knee — for 9 months — I was able to resume training in different martial arts disciplines. I was able to resume practicing right leg full power muay Thai kicks and muay Thai knees. During the course of the past 6 1/2 years, I have continued to train 5-6 days a week in muay Thai kickboxing and other martial arts disciplines. I have continued to train with the vision of improving my ability to engage my both sides of my body through repetitive mirrored movements. I have done so to engage both sides of my brain, to create new neural pathways and brain reorganization.
UPDATE: November 6, 2023
Since October 2016 I have continued to train and develop as a martial artist. It is now November 6,2023.
Click on the below link
How I Use Neuroplasticity to Create New Neural Pathways and Brain Reorganization
As you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions and all questions are welcomed. Please leave your questions in a comment below. I will respond to you in a timely way. You have my permission to share the articles that I present here on Second Chance to Live, however, please attribute me as being the author of the article (s) and provide a link back to the article (s) on Second Chance to Live. Thank you. Copyright 2016.
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