Black Belt Essay
Noah Hauck
Hello, This is Sempai Noah Hauck of “The Dojo” in Salisbury. Now this isn’t my first time around the block for Boot Camp. Actually my third, but really only second time. The first time I did Boot Camp was 2 years ago I believe. I did it again last spring but I was only there for support. Although, this promotion to me shows I have matured and gotten stronger than the last two times I went. It means that I have more wisdom and have a better understanding as to what being a Black Belt means.
I’ve spent around eight years here at the dojo and every time I come out of class, I walk out better than before. I know what it means to be a Black Belt, but that doesn’t mean I’m my best. To be a Black Belt, it takes courage, selflessness, honor, and being humble.
Courage is a big part, you must be able to perform when you are in a real life/stressful situation. Selflessness is probably the most important part of being a Black Belt.
To show you have the heart to be a Black Belt, you must put everyone else before you. If you're going into a building, hold the door for someone before you enter. If someone is hurt, help them, walk them to the nurse or bring them to a hospital. If a person is crying alone, ask what's wrong, be there. To be a Black Belt is to wear your heart on your sleeve.
Honor is something that comes along with being a Black Belt. You should always do what's right and if anyone needs help, help them. Humbleness. This is mostly part of the process. During Boot Camp and class, you will be yelled at. You will be punched, kicked, slammed against the ground, you will take a beating. But that's what makes you strong, what makes me strong, what makes anyone strong. It won’t seem to help at first but skin will grow thicker. In this process and promotion, it will hurt. That is something that you can’t show, perseverance is what will get you to the finish line.
Going back to what this promotion means to me. This Black Belt will mean that I have the strength, maturity, and wisdom to get through Boot Camp and still stride out with my head held high. Some people think they’ll never get their Black Belt. That's the mindset that prevents you from getting it. I may not be the most literate or well-spoken person but I know how to say something right. You have to believe in yourself that you can and will get there. I barely believed that I could get through my first Boot Camp and promotion, but I kept going, everyone else did too. A lot of the reason why people do get through Boot Camp and the promotion is that they are surrounded by the right people. I was and am too. So this promotion means I’ve grown up, and I’m stronger. This is Sempai Noah of “The Dojo” in Salisbury, thank you for your time.