True Gold

Perhaps it was the golden sun rising over the Houston ship channel that conjured up the memories. As I drove toward Beaumont, gold was on my mind. I found myself reflecting on my martial arts career and the victories it has produced in my life.

In the years preceding my journey along the Shotokan path, I was a dedicated tournament fighter. As a result, I accumulated an impressive collection of gold medals.

Over the past five years, I have had the honor of training under a man who taught me the true meaning of martial arts. While there is nothing inherently wrong with tournament competition, Sensei John showed me how much more there is to the way of karate. He taught me that there are greater victories than winning a sparring match, and greater rewards than gold medals.

As I maneuvered along the interstate, I thought again about those glistening discs that once testified to my success, and smiled. Today, those medals are taking up space in the city dump. Just as it is not wrong to compete, it is not wrong to have trophies and medals. But over time, I found that their meaning had faded and they had become no more than clutter. I tossed them without a second thought.

My Shotokan journey has once again filled my trophy case…this time with more lasting rewards. Today I find that the smiles on the faces of my students sparkle like gold. When I watch a student overcome a challenge or develop their character, I am more satisfied than the most celebrated Olympian. When I personally conquer a fear, or successfully incorporate a teaching from my Sensei into my life, I know the joy of victory once again. Today, my students are my medals -- their progression along the path of karate the measure of my success.

Oss!
Sempai Patty