Saturday, July 11, 2009

Take THAT!

Do you think if I added a jump to this, I might, just maybe, be able kick my 6'2" husband upside the head! (not that I would want too...at least not today.)

This will actually be the last time I wear that Yellow Belt, I earned my green belt this weekend. That puts me somewhere around a quarter of the way to Black Belt, so still in that "beginner" stage, and I am having so much fun.

As a kid, I loved participating in Softball, and Surfing. Competition was NOT my thing. I would shine every practice, and then choke when it was time to perform. I don't know if its a difference in maturity, a difference in the sport, or a difference in talent, but I don't choke with martial arts. Its such a great feeling to know that in front of judges (even the Grandmaster-Founder of the organization) I did my best, AND my best was better than good enough. When one of the masters stopped me on my way out and told me "excellent job today, your form is outstanding. Keep up the good work, you have a gift" I thanked him graciously, but inside I just wanted to burst. In a competitive situation, nobody has ever told me I had a gift before. I had to push down the old memories of "what happened out there?" and "How on earth did you not see that?" and "Its ok, maybe next time" to enjoy it. Here is where I'm fighting the urge to say something self-deprecating, sarcastic, or otherwise negative about my personality, or other personal trait, but I think I'll stop myself this time. I think I'll enjoy the compliment and let it inspire me to work even harder.

Weird how it took me 20 years past my so-called-prime to find that sport that I was my "thing." But hey, better late than never, right?

What's really cool, is that we do this as a family. What's even cooler are all the friends we as a family have made participating with this group of people.

I gotta say, if there's something you'd like to try and you think you're too old, too fat, or too out of shape to do it...just do it anyways. What if that thing is the thing you have talent for and you never discovered that about yourself? That would be sad indeed.

Posted by Picasa

8 comments:

Kristina P. said...

This is so great, Lisa! You look awesome. My husband is a second degree black belt. When we met, he was a karate instructor. But he worked for a horrible company, and when he quit, he hasn't really kept it up. It's too bad!

Shauna said...

I agree with Kristina! You look AWESOME :)

Heather said...

You do look awesome!! Good for you for finding something that makes ya feel good!!

Heatherlyn said...

It's amazing. And inspiring. It would be very nice to discover an athletic skill after many years of not being particularly athletic. I think it is fantastic that you do that as a family. :)

The Copes said...

I'm not going to mess with your family any time soon. ---Just when I thought you guys couldn't get any more militant.

Unknown said...

Okay, that is very cool! When they take away our guns I know who to call to keep me safe!

Goob said...

I don't know how comfortable I am with the term "Militant"...I prefer to think of us as...hmmmm. Something other than Militant! LOL

Vanessa said...

WAHOO!! Great job!