Please read Part 1 and Part 3. Thank you.
After being released from the hospital September 1st I was too weak to work out for the next 4 weeks. I slowly started back training at the YMCA in the first week of October. In the 3rd week of October, I thought I was ready to resume my training at the martial arts school. I am thankful that I did not give up on the dream of entering the 10-month long black belt cycle to quality to test for my black belt in international martial arts and boxing.
In the next several weeks I upped the number of days that I trained at the YMCA and the martial arts school. Several days before the November 8 progress check test I approached my Sensei to ask him if he would let me make up the progress check test, being that I had been in the hospital in August with a serious infection for the 16 days. My Sensei told me that there would be no way for me to make up the 8-hour black belt progress check.
My Sensei (Instructor) told me that if I did not compete in the day-long test in November that I would have to wait another year to test to qualify to enter the 10-month long black belt cycle.
His response disappointed me as I thought he would be more empathetic given the circumstances. After leaving the martial arts school on Wednesday evening I struggled with my conundrum — not do the test on November 8 and have to wait for another year or participate in the test and run the possibility of getting sick again. I struggled with the two options that evening and into the next day on November 6. After calling and speaking with my brother and a trusted friend, I made the decision to participate in the exam on Saturday, November 8 from 9 am to 5 pm.
The test lasted from 9 am until a little after 5 pm. Although there were several times during the progress check that I wanted to give up — with the encouragement of my teammates and staff at the martial arts school — I so glad that I did not give up on the process, or on myself. I am so glad that I gave my best effort and in the process proved to myself that I could do and accomplish something that seemed impossible.
During the progress check, I learned a tremendous amount about myself, mainly that I was able to do more physically, emotionally and spiritually than I thought was possible. I am glad so glad that my Sensei did not cut me any slack when I asked to be able to make up the test. At the end of the test I thanked my Sensei for the opportunity and that he did not cut me any slack. When I mentioned that to my Sensei he told me that I did great. Please read Part 3. Thank you. Craig
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