Step One, The journey begins

Dear Journal, 

I did not know how to start this so I started with "Dear Journal".  This is the first day of the black belt cycle.  I've been preparing for this over the weeks but this is probably the hardest thing I've done. My mom read somewhere that out of all the people that start a white belt only 3% reach there black belt!  They say a journey of 1,000 miles (The black belt cycle) begins with one step (The First Day Of The Cycle) and a good pair of shoes.  This will take more than shoes this will take sweat, a whole lot of it pain in your muscles, and tears because of the pain.  I've gotten a lot of advice from the masters that have gone before me like Master Burkart, Master Thamm, Instructor Jaque, and Instructor Alexander.  Master Thamm said to double up or triple up on the requirements because you mayl get sick or hurt and there will be days where you can't move.  So if you doubled up or tripled up on things like poomsaes and push-ups then  you will have a little wiggle room.  

This is step one on this journey.  I know that there are a lot of steps left to take.  I know that this isn't a journey that can be completed with one big giant step.  it has to be taken in tiny, little steps.  Those are harder because sometimes the path is steep, sometimes its steady, sometimes there are obstacles in the path that you have to figure out ways to get past.  Sometimes it feels like the journey will never ever end but you have to just keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually you reach your destination.  

I keep thinking of the verse, Phillipians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  This is encouraging to me because it means that I don't always have to do it in my own strength.  When I get weak I can lean on the strength of Christ.  I can lean on the strength of the people around me on the cycle. I can lean on the strength of the Instructors and Masters that have gone before me.  And sometimes people may have to lean on me.  

Today I am a little overwhelmed by all the stuff that we have to do just to get one belt but in the end it will all be worth it.  

Just me, 

Kelsey