Renshi Bruce Brousseau

It was with much anticipation that we attended Capital Conquest in Orleans this past weekend. We had a huge secret and we didn't have to keep it much longer. Our very own chief instructor was receiving the title of Renshi. Keeping this a secret from him while we organized with students and his family was stressful at best, but it was all worth it. We are unbelievably proud to have him in our club, as our head instructor and as our friend. We couldn't be happier.

Renshi

We've schemed and we've plotted to keep you from knowing.

We've wiped grins from our faces to keep it from showing.

It feels like forever that we've kept you in the dark.

We've been keeping this secret from you since last March!

A title so warranted, we are bursting with pride,

No one's more deserving; it can't be denied.

That a teacher who listens, cares and inspires

would be granted a title that so many admire.

Polished instructor is your new title's definition,

and you are every inch of that we are certain.

Much more that just a teacher, is what we believe,

you've reached a level that few can achieve.

You've taught so many of us to take joy from this path,

you've been there beside us, you've watched as we've passed,

level by level and goal after goal.

But now it's our turn, to take over your role.

To watch you receive a promotion so due,

This title is for us, as well as for you.

We've waited so long, with barely contained glee

To finally be able to call you...Renshi.

Congratulations Renshi Bruce! You are an inspiration to us all!

Good Made Better

Karate has been known to improve many things. Physical improvements such as balance, co-ordination and strength can be attributed to karate training. We can also thank our karate training for improvements in focus, confidence and awareness. Karate can definitely make good people better.
However, as Sensei Bruce has often told us, "Karate doesn't make a person good. You have to have good qualities already. Karate can also make a bad person more dangerous." And how true these words are.
The reaching and achieving of goals in the way of belts leads to improved confidence. It's easy to feel better about yourself as you see each milestone reached by the colour around your waist. Witnessing the payoff to your hardwork is amazing.
However wonderful it is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities, this is also the time to keep yourself in check. Humility is a huge part of martial arts. To know your abilities and to not display them is the ultimate goal. You shouldn't need to show others how much you know or what you can do. The need to convice others of your worth does not show confidence - it is a display of weakness.
Let's remember to be humble in our karate training. We can't learn while we are talking, so let's listen to all we can and become the best people we can be.