A Student's View on Commitment

Commitment……Can be defined as having “loyalty” or “dedication” to something.  It refers to the act of engaging oneself in something.

Commitment is a very important character trait to have. It means to be responsible, having devotion and never giving up, staying the course in spite of the challenges. It also means to be honest and true to the task or journey on which you have agreed to embark. Commitment can be personal not just religious.

When I started in my martial arts training back in the very early 80’s, I was young and had absolutely no clue what the word commitment meant.  I had had a rough upbringing, and was out on my one at the ripe old age of 15. 

It wasn’t long until I knew in my heart that I wanted more than to be able to “defend” myself.  I wanted the satisfaction of achieving my black belt.  Little did I know just how much commitment was involved with achieving that goal.  It was hard work, and there were days when I wanted to quit.  However, I knew that I would never develop any respect for myself if I didn’t follow through with the “commitments” that I had made.

After the military, it was easier for me to get back into Martial Arts and I had no issues with committing myself to earning a second black belt in a different style.

Now, I am heading up on 50, and have started all over, in yet another style.  I have made a commitment/pact with myself and Mr. Stephen, that I want to earn my black belt here within 2 years.

Is it tough?  You bet?  Do I have an occasional meltdown?  Absolutely.  Do I get tired? Discouraged? Frustrate? Absolutely.  But, I have stuck it out for a year now, and in spite of MS flair-ups, work, and other life issues, I have succeeded in making it to Blue Belt and loosing over 70lbs since January.  I refuse to allow anything get in the way of my goals.

The single most important factor of personal success, whether it is in school, work or Karate, is commitment.

Unfortunately, as I grow older, I see less and less of the commitment to the things in life that people choose to do.  While I understand that people need to “try” things out first, in order to decide if that goal/sport/activity is for them, I still believe that they should strive to work at that activity for at least 3 months before they “quit”. 

Studies have shown that it that it takes a minimum of 21 days to develop a habit. 

Now, let’s say that you start taking martial arts, kick boxing, etc, in order to lose some weight, get fit, grow, make friends, whatever your personal reason is for doing it….You have to work at it for at least 21 days.  It doesn’t count as 7 days, if you only come to class 2 days per week!  Sorry, not about to allow you to get away with that notion….

I also believe that the reason why so many people quit too soon, or don’t commit to something is that they are over-extending themselves.  When I was a kid growing up, I played one sport.  Not 3. One.  I wasn’t in dance, yoga, play dates, etc….I went to school where I studied 7 hours out of the day, I then went to volleyball practice for an hour, then I went home and did my chores and my homework and sat down to dinner with my family.  My parents made me go to practice, they made me go to school(unless I was really sick), I went to church, and I did my chores and helped out on the farm.

I also believe that, as a society, our lack of commitment has a lot to do with TV and Computers and Computer games.  Again, as a child, I was active.  I didn’t sit in front of the TV all afternoon.  I went outside and played in the fresh air and sunshine.  If I had to write a report, I did it by hand, or a typewriter (remember those things?).  We weren’t allowed to use calculators in school that was cheating.  I did do a lot of reading, but it was generally while my hind end was parked in the crook of a oak tree branch, or hanging out in the barn in the hay loft.

I believe that in order to gain respect for oneself, one must follow through with commitment.    Come to class at least three times per week---more if possible.  Work out at least 1 hour per day.  Practice your forms; practice each of your combinations at least 4-5 times per day. Find someone in class that you are well matched with, or that your child is well matched with, and get together and practice, at home or at the DoJo before/after class.   Make a commitment to achieve at least a Green belt.  If after that time, you still don’t like what you are doing, then, ok, it is time to move on and do something else.  But, make that commitment, whether for yourself or for your children(and, yes, while kids are individuals, they do “belong” to their parents until they are at least 18 yrs of age, or while living under your roof, that you are paying the bills for).  Make your kids come.  Make them do their “Karate Homework”.

Teach them and yourself the value of the word “commitment”.

Sparring And Grappling Day

I wish that I had been privileged enough to be able to have the ability to come to classes and start my martial arts career when I was the age of some of the kids here.....I wonder where I would be today.

Some of these kids are really talented and really show a desire and the commitment to learn.

We had a new young lady in class today, "Charley", who attends classes at the Coral Springs Location.  She is fine young woman with so much potential, that she could really go far.  In a matter of a few trys, she had her should-locks in place(granted, not perfect, but had the correct movements down).  If she would come and work out consistently, she could become an awesome competitor.

Then there is "Jack".  "Jack" has come a long way, in the year that I have been coming to this DoJo.  I have watched him mature and become stronger in his katas(forms) and more willing to take direction and learn.  I am very proud of him!

I trust that as parents/friends/brothers/sisters/etc, we encourage our kids and family members who are training in ANY sport to give that sport 110% of all they have to give.  And, they have to practice outside of the class!  What person learns to play a musical instrument by simply taking lessons and never practicing at home?  What person truly succeeds in life, in anything without working on it in private?  Do teachers give students homework?  Do your kids go out and practice shooting hoops?  Do you throw the football for them so that they can learn to catch it?  If so, then shouldn't be doing our children in Martial Arts a huge favor and doing the same thing?

More later!

Belt Ceremony, October 2010

Again, Congratulations to one young lady, on her long hard journey to her blackbelt.  She is a fine young lady, who never argues, does as she is instructed, and is considerate and patient.  She is a very respectful young lady, whom I am confident will go far!

Nice New Gold Belts!

A Bit of History....

Well, We have a new Black Belt!  Congratulations to Ashley Smith, for her accomplishment.

Let me explain a little bit about Stephen's Karate....

Located in East Boca Raton, Florida, and in business for more than 20 yrs(over 10 yrs at the same location!).

Barry Stephen has been in Martial Arts since he was a child.  He was bullied a bit as a child, and decided that simply wasn't how life was going to be, so he set out to overcome that obstacle in his life.

And, he did overcome.  He has studied a variety of different styles, and is eclectic in his teaching methods, and style of Martial Arts...Simply put, if it works, use it.

In my search for a place to train, and having trained for many years(I have black belts in two other styles of Martial Arts), I knew I was not looking for the "average" studio, where often times, you "purchase" your blackbelt....But, rather, I was looking for a place, off the beaten path, where I would actually have to earn my blackbelt...

In all his years of teaching, he has only given out 33 blackbelts!  Out of thousands of students.  Simply put, if you don't earn it, physically/mentally/emotionally, you don't get it.  But, when you do strive and achieve, you will know that you have earned it!


So, after months of searching, I came across a place in the warehouse district of Boca Raton.  A place where I(or you) could(can) call 'home'.  A place to train, a place to make lifelong friends, a place to learn.

"As Martial Artists', we train our bodies and minds to be prepared, at all times, to defend ourselves....We train our hearts, however, to be kind, loving and understanding toward all Mankind"