Da Da DUN! Testing day.....

Thanks for all of the positive vibrations sent my way. I'm pretty calm, and ready to face the music today, and I'll dance as best as I can.

Life is short, and these mountain top moments that ask you to put forth the best that you have mentally, spiritually, and physically are times that you can look back upon with pride.

Why put ourselves through this? Why have belt testing at all? In my opinion, it's not to prove to the teacher that you have the skills. When I was a Sensei, I would assess my students as they were learning, once I knew that they had grasped that level of knowledge, I would allow them to test. So.. the teacher is aware of what the student is capable of.

I believe that these tests are for the student to use their new found skills in an artificially stress filled environment. Sure, you can play the song when you are alone, and practicing in your room, but can you play it just as well in front of a crowd? If ever a Martial artist had to use their skills in self defense, they will be facing that moment under various stresses. This kind of testing moment helps create a safe "pressure" to work through.

Yesterday, I've already started eating in preparation for the demands of tonight. I filled myself up with fruits, vegtables, and carbohydrates. Almost as if I was planning on running a marathon. Today, I'll make sure to have a good amount of Vitamin C, a good lunch with a salad before I need to go to the test. I know that I will not be able to eat after 3 pm just because I'll be mentally gearing up for the hard training.

Here I go....