I am not sure how many people know this but martial arts are deeply ingrained into base-10’s culture. Collectively base-10 has over 40 years of martial arts experience in a myriad of styles. Thorsten has trained for 15 years, Ramin for 12 years and I (casimir) have trained for 15 years. The styles we have studied include wushu, karate, kickboxing, jiu jitsu, judo and kobudo. Personally the bulk of my experience (14 years) and what I have focused on most is kickboxing, at Champions Martial Arts academy in north vancouver. On December 1st 2009 I attained the level of black belt which I have been working towards since I was 7. Getting my black belt and building base-10 are in my opinion my 2 greatest life achievements to date and are what I am most proud about.
In preparation for my black belt testing I wrote an essay describing the importance of being a black belt and the responsibilities that come with a black belt. You may be wondering how this relates to business or web development and all I can say is read it and then ask that question. There are so many parallels between working towards your black belt and building a company. I can honestly say that base-10 would not be where it is today if martial arts had not played such a large roll in all of our lives.
I will follow-up with another post on the actual black belt testing and will include some nice videos and images. Please keep in mind that the following essay has not been edited or really even proofed. I hope you enjoy it.
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In my opinion, there is a huge difference between being a black belt and having a black belt. A black belt is after all a black piece of cloth that is tied around ones waist. On the other hand, being a black belt it something profound that represents who you are to the core. With enough effort almost anyone off the street can work out enough to accomplish the physical feats associated with having a black belt, but it takes someone truly special to embody what being a black belt represents. A black belt represents the never ending quest to perfect your mind, body and soul; to treat others and the world with respect and to hold yourself to the highest standards possible.
I have been training at Champions since I was 7 and even though I took a number of years off to ground myself, that means I have been working towards this for 16 years. I still remember the day clearly when I figured out what I now know to be the essence of a black belt. It was actually when Champions first black belt ever (Joel) was testing for his black belt and I was testing for my orange belt. It was the first time students had to know the creed to get their belt and at the time, the 7 words. My mom spent hours helping me memorize these things and when Joel went up, he couldn’t remember them and none of us had to say them. I remembered them and still do remember them and it is these 7 words that we don’t have to know any more, that represent in my mind what it means to be a black belt: sincerity, self control, confidence, character, effort, respect and discipline.
Like I mentioned above, martial arts are not solely about fighting and being physically strong, they are about honing every aspect of your life. Realizing this has lead me to not only get into the best shape of my life, but to eat better, sleep better, work better, love better, act better, see better, etc. The black belt spirit overflows into all facets of your life and this is the importance of being a black belt. No one is perfect and you are definitely not perfect when you get a black belt, but it shows that you are on the path to perfection. Even though this is an unattainable goal, it shows ones true character, to strive for something they know that they will never reach; constantly improving and moving forward.
When I pass my black belt test it is not as if a switch is flicked and I become something new, something different. It is only a formal recognition of what I have become during my journey to reaching my black belt. And also, it is not the end because the journey never stops and the lessons and values you learn throughout the journey will be with you forever because they have been ingrained into your entire being. On another note, it does not make me better then anyone, in fact it signifies that I have recognized I am not better then anyone else, that no one is better then any other one; that I am humble. The only one I can be better then is my current self and this is what I strive for.
I have to be honest, I am afraid of the test for my black belt and of having a black belt. This is the true test, not if I can do 100 jump spinning hook kicks or not. It is overcoming your fears, standing strong in the face of fear and overcoming your daemons. All you can ever do in life is be true and try your hardest and this is what I am doing and will do for the rest of my life. Do I deserve a black belt if I am afraid of having one, of course I do. Without fear there is no respect and without respect for something, there is room for abuse.
There is such a misconception of what a black belt represents and what it means to wear one. TV, Movies, UFC, etc, they all distort the true meaning. There seems to be this social pressure that if you have a black belt you must be a hardcore who can kick anyone’s ass. Some people see it as a threat and it can lead to conflict. I guess this is part of the responsibilities of having a black belt, having to properly deal with this.
Another major responsibility inside and outside of the dojo is leading by example. Having attained the level of black belt, you naturally have others that look to you for example and direction; especially children. You have to set a good example and carry on the tradition. My brother is 10 years younger then me and even though I see him as much older then his age, he is really only 13. As his bigger brother it is my job to set an example for him. The fact that a human being I love follows and learns by my actions is a big burden, but one that I gladly carry and cherish.
Having trained at Champions, I now represent Champions, especially after I get my black belt. If I abuse the knowledge and skill that has been passed down to me, I put a black mark on Champions Academy. Champions has put a level of trust in me and they will not regret it. As I have done before, students come and they will go. But what I have learned from my instructors and champions academy, I will never forget. Champions has benefited my entire life and has forged who I am. Every decision I make has been influenced by my study and training. I am forever grateful for this and will carry on the tradition.
The entire point of this essay was to show you the importance of being a black belt and to prove that I can handle the responsibility of what being a black belt means. I understand without a doubt the importance of a black belt and the responsibilities that come with being a black belt. I also understand that the essence of a black belt does not come off when I take the black belt off or even if I don’t get a black belt. It is deeper then that, embedded into the fibre of my entire life, forever. Osu.
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Casimir Loeber
