A primary characteristic of all true Black Belts is that they seek peaceful means to solve problems. Black Belts understand there is often more than one solution to a problem, but they seek the one that causes the least amount of conflict. This is a very important characteristic to understand. If you are not a peace-seeker, then it is likely you will experience many unnecessary challenges in life. If you are a peace-seeker, then you will be more likely to find your life filled with joy and happiness.
To become a Black Belt, one must be a peace-seeker. Engaging in conflict is not a martial arts value. Although Black Belts are experts in many fighting skills, they are not motivated by fighting to reach that level of proficiency. Martial arts training is for self-defense only. Martial arts instructors agree that those who learn the martial arts for the wrong reasons are not real Black Belts, in terms of morals and values.
Being a peace-seeker has its advantages. First, it defines the true spirit of a Black Belt. Second, peaceful people have more friends. Most importantly, peace-seeking people make our world a better, safer place in which to live. If you want to become a Black Belt and want to make the world a better place, then focus your thinking on how to solve all of your problems with more peaceful, caring methods. After all, it’s you who must live with your decisions every day. NAPMA
