Reflections - Individuality

As we close out the year of the rabbit I am feeling more reflective than usual. What an amazing year this has been. I started out the year focused more on taking care of myself and less concerned with IHC requirements or deadlines. From there the year just took on a life of its own. 

 

I felt compelled to write about my reflection on individuality, which has been on my mind quite a bit lately. It was a seed of thought that germinated many months ago as I worked on the assignment - A Black Belt I Admire and Why. I remember picking one specific black belt and as I thought about all the reasons I admired that person I found myself also thinking about what qualities I see and admire in many of the higher ranking black belts.

When I started to consider aspects of life that pull us all in different directions and apply them to each person I really began to see each one more as an individual, engaging and contributing as best as they can in any given moment. As I continued the exercise I also became more aware of their personalities and growth over the years. And with this process I gained a deeper appreciation for the unique qualities each black belt brings to our school.

The assignment also helped me to have a more open mind and awareness of our newest black belts. I became more aware of them as individuals and watched them grow and flourish as they found their footing as black belts. I have seen this in the past with other new black belts, just never to this level of awareness. 

All of this has really brought to the surface the importance of a persons individuality. They are so much more than the belt tied around their waist. I’m better able to empathize and have compassion when I see a person as an individual. 

Awareness of a persons individuality and humanness can help me to empathize and interact with them at a more conscious level. As I become more aware and thoughtful in this regard I can feel it beginning to transfer over to my interactions with other students. How I interact with one person may be slightly different than my interaction with another based on their individual needs. 

I love how this train of thought has slowly and steadily been evolving over the year and connections are being made. 

Over and over again I am reminded of the value of an assignment or requirement when effort is applied. The more effort I put in the more I get out of it.

Totals

Push ups: 45505
Situps: 45505
Hand form:862    
Weapon form:760
KM: 1892      
AOK: 1658          
Sparring: 1721    
Blogs: 68           
Yoga: 45 hrs

Board Break Combos: 150 reps