The First Stripe

In jiu-jitsu, a belt is a belt. The number of stripes, or the color of the belt, doesn’t make a bit of difference when you hit the mat and roll a couple of rounds. Yet if the belt doesn’t matter during battle, why do those who practice the art look at the higher belts with respect?

Because a belt shows progress.

A belt is a reflection of that person’s commitment and time to training. It shows that week after week they were willing to enter the arena and become comfortable with being uncomfortable. It represents hours upon hours of drilling in the pursuit of making themselves better.

Today I hit my first milestone in what I hope is a very long journey with the art of jiu-jitsu. And with that, I want to reflect on what I have learned over the past few months.

I have come to learn that jiu-jitsu is as much of a language and philosophy as it is an art.

When learning a language the words of the one learning are basic. The conversations can be slow and clunky. Over time the person’s vocabulary grows and the conversation becomes more fluid.

The same is true of jiu-jitsu. Drilling moves can be slow and awkward. It can feel uncomfortable and limiting. But after drilling a throw for the hundredth time, or an armbar for the thousandth, the language of jiu-jitsu begins to feel more natural.

How a person deals with life has much to do with the philosophy they have adopted. When life beats them down do they choose to play the victim, or become resilient in spite of their circumstances? When they experience success do they fill with pride, thank luck, or humbly learn for the next step in their journey?

Jiu-jitsu has represented what life can be during every class. After being choked out for the third time in a row I can blame my fatigue or circumstances, or I can choose to reflect on the mistakes I made. I can learn from my faults. When the tables are turned I can choose to celebrate, or humbly reset for the next round.

Jiu-jitsu has taught me how big my pride actually is and has humbled me in the process. I have written about that in the past here.

Besides the life lessons, I have also learned that fingertips get sore.

Toes and fingers get jammed.

Ears get cauliflowered.

My elbows are weak.

Sleep gets affected.

And yet I still love every minute of it! I catch myself thinking about it throughout the day. I look forward to the next class and the lessons I will learn.

I have become obsessed!

Today is just the first stripe in the life of a white belt, but that stripe represents much that I am thankful for. I am excited to see what else I will learn from this day forward.

Thank you, Professor Vlad and Alliance Jiu-Jitsu of Ames for not only the training…but also for making me a better man.