EVERYTHING AND NOTHING

WEEK OF 12/22/25

 

On belt promotions–

Two things can be true at the same time: namely, that belts mean absolutely nothing, and they also mean everything.

They mean nothing, because the belt itself can’t make you better.  Anyone can have a belt, anyone can wear one.  There is no barrier to having a senior belt in the most literal sense, except maybe the $15 it costs to have one shipped to your house.  As such, they mean nothing.  They are a piece of cloth, nothing more.

They mean everything, because to truly own the belt, you have to earn it.  You can buy the cloth, but you can’t buy the esteem that comes with it.  To have an entire community acknowledge the effort, sacrifice, and time you have put in to your craft is an exceptionally humbling and powerful event.

It’s ok to walk with one foot on either side.  In fact, following the seam between these two opposites will point the way forward.  Stay humble, but stay confident.  Look forward with eagerness, look backwards with pride.  Give yourself grace for the failures to come, but trust in the wisdom that you’ve gained from the failures behind you.  And so on.

Congratulations to all the newly promoted students!