A Black Belt is a White Belt that never gave up.
A White Belt is a future Black Belt that knows they know nothing but are eager to learn.
I believe all Black Belts need to remember what it feels like to be a new white belt in class. Remember the excitement of learning new techniques and being challenged like you never have been before. But also remember how nervous you were to be in a classroom full of higher belts that knew a lot more than you. You see such great skill levels that have great potential to hurt others. This can make you nervous as you don’t want to get hurt or injured. Black Belts and higher belts need to remember this and hep the lower belts feel at ease. Remind them that you were once a lower belt and you made it to black. You felt the same things as they do. You know they can overcome such challenges as you have done before.
I also believe that Black Belts need to think more like white belts when it comes to techniques. The number one thing that all new students do is go over the basics over and over again until they know it. After that they keep going over and over the techniques until they start to master the techniques and concepts. Master the fundamental basics and concepts before moving onto the “advance” stuff. I believe that there is no such thing as advanced per say. It is more like an advanced way of looking at the basics. Black Belts need to be eager to work those basics with excitement as if they were the new batch of white belt students in class.
Black Belts need to remember where they came from. Look at it from a white belt perspective. They are brand new to the dojang. They may not know many people if any in the class. They are not familiar with our techniques and protocols. They may not be as physically fit. They will be nervous about not knowing stuff and about being hurt. They are eager to learn learn learn. Maybe learn a little too much a little too soon. And a lot more. This is all perfectly normal. As Black Belts we need to remember how we felt and be eager to make our new white belt friends as comfortable as possible and ensure them this is all perfectly normal and we are here to help.
Also basic level of Black Belts are the same as white belts in the lower rank. You are just starting out your journey. Realize that you have learned quite a bit but at the same time you know very little. There is always more to learn. There is always room for improvement. There is always room to build better character. There is always room to help others. Always room to be helped.
Life is short. Aim to help others, be nice to one another, don’t hurt others, cherish what you have, learn lots, experience new things, and so on.
White Belts and Black Belts all come from the same place. They end up in the same place.
Master Jonathan field