Jeffrey is about 12 years old when he walks into our Karate school for the first time accompanied by his parents. Jeffrey seems happy but shy, his eyes scan the room from side to side as he answers a few questions. How old are you? What do you enjoy doing? Etc. He seems excited about Karate, but at the same time is reluctant to try something different and new. Reassuring him, I welcome Jeffrey into the dojo and run a few Karate drills with him, he loosens up as his eyes seem to light up. I can see that a spark has ignited within him.
Fast forward just a few months later and Jeffrey, now a yellow belt, has fully embraced his Karate training. He is slowly tackling all new challenges as he realizes that he has the potential to do very well when he puts his mind to it. He knows by now that many things are not easy, actually they may seem pretty hard at first, but through practice, hard work, and dedication, he can master the techniques, combinations, and the physical work that is required of him.
While everyone develops at their own pace, and acquiring self confidence is a process of self discovery, it is always amazing for me to see the change our students experience over time. Quite often we see the once timid kid now leading the warm ups and volunteering to demonstrate a technique or combination in front of the whole class. I think that many times we believe that confidence and timidity are things that people are born with, but in fact, confidence is a skill that can be developed through practice and repetition.
I know that as a parent I may instinctively wish to save my children from the difficulties of life, shield them from the problems and challenges I may have encountered myself. However I know that adversity forms the strongest characters and most resilient mindsets. So I always encourage my children to try to resolve any challenges on their own, before I would come to the rescue, if at all. By resolving things on their own, they become more self-sufficient, and gain the confidence needed to face other obstacles in life. These lessons I apply to our Karate students as well.
As for Jeffrey, I keep looking into the future with even higher expectations of greater things to come.
Sensei Willy Strohmeier founded Colorado Karate Club in 2005 and has taught traditional Shotokan karate to children and adults in Brighton and Westminster, Colorado, ever since, and writes a monthly column for The Brighton Buzz. More about CKC