A belt is, of course, something to hold your pants up. What difference does the color make?

Many people aspire to get a black belt. But anyone can get a black belt. Just go to an appropriate store, or web site, and buy one.

Some people say a black belt must be earned. That’s close to the truth, but it is more accurate to say that one who has earned a black belt has mastered certain things about the martial arts, and should be respected for the accomplishments needed to do so.

If you simply buy a black belt, how good of a fighter does it make you? Does it make your tornado kick impressive to see? Can you stand on one foot for five minutes at a time once you put it on? Does wearing it give you the power and technique to break concrete bricks? Does it give you the focus to hit where you aim?

We often say in class that you are always testing, that we won’t let you promote unless we see you are ready. We can’t, for example, let you take a new belt unless you can do your pattern well enough to demonstrate to someone how to do it correctly. How could we let you wear a belt of the wrong color, and give people the impression you know how to do things you don’t know how to do?

Getting a belt before you are ready would be like printing yourself a college degree. You could even print something fancy, indicating you are a doctor. But what would happen if someone knows you have this doctor degree and needs your help because they are sick?

Don’t concern yourself with your rank at all. Do the best you can at everything you do, including class. The instructors are watching, and will know when you have earned the right to wear a new belt, to show everyone in class what you have accomplished. And when you stop worrying about your next promotion, are truly are not concerned and just work your hardest in class, your next promotion will come up before you know it.