His currect karate gee and belt.
Notice how dirty it is.
BR needs a new yellow belt for multiple reaons.

Is there anything better than achieving a goal?

You can look back on the frustrations, times when you felt like quitting, and the moments you wondered if it was all worth it. They all melt away.

Instead, you revel in accomplishment. You can feel proud, appreciate your stick to itness, and you know that the next goal can happen too.

The greatest thing you get when you achieve a goal is confidence. I know I can, I know I can.

Tomorrow BR will be testing for his yellow belt. I’ve mentioned before how he felt when he got a stripe (https://larrydbernstein.com/earning-your-stripes/). This is bigger. A NEW BELT!

I am excited. I’ve been calling BR every morning while on my way to work to remind him to practice. I’ve watched and instructed based on what Sensei says during practices. BR is primed!

A friend of mine said, “Wait till he goes for that green belt or higher. He’ll feel like he can protect himself.”

My friend, while a great guy, has it all wrong. Karate and the new belt are not about enabling BR to go all Bruce Lee on the next person who dares mess with him.

Sure, it would be nice if he could be the family protector should danger arise. However, that’s not what I care about.

I do care that a kid who has o.t. issues is feeling more in control of his body.

I do care that a kid who has ADHD is finding a way to focus and discipline himself.

I do care that a kid who has anxiety is able to feel a sense of accomplishment.

It’s been a year and a half since BR began his twice weekly karate sessions. There have been times where he has practiced little, and I questioned what he got out of it. There have been days where I have stressed about getting him there and back. There have been sessions where BR appeared nonchalant, disinterested, and unable.

I suppose that is why many kids are able to earn a yellow belt much quicker.

So what. The great length of time that has passed does not make this potential accomplishment any less special.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be in the audience silently praying and offering instructions to BR as he goes through the testing for the yellow belt. Afterwards, I will hug him tightly (he may even let me do it in public) and tell him how proud of him I am – whether he is wearing yellow belt or not. He has already achieved a worthwhile goal.