I was just reading Narda's blog, Harlan's Place, and she was writing about one of her defining moments in her life. This got me to thinking...(those damn monkeys are talking again)...about my own defining moments, especially as it relates to Karate and/or Zen.I am interested in other people's defining moments as well. What inspired you or changed you in some shape or form that propelled you to Black Belt or even to start a martial art? Let us know. Stories are interesting.
My earliest defining moment in Karate that shaped me into a Black Belt was when I was about 15 years old. I had been studying Karate for about a year/year and a half, and as I was standing at attention in line Sensei Dean came over to me, grabbed my dirty white belt (we didnt' have yellow or orange belts back then) at the knot and said, "You are going to make a fine Black Belt some day." He then moved on. Those words 'hypnotized' me. At that moment I became a Black Belt in my head and seven years later it materialized. Those words rang through my head and deep into my spirit. It was the right thing at the right time. Simple words that turned into a powerful message and defining moment for me personally.
So how about you?
Looking forward to hearing some stories.
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
