Road to Success

There is a grading at the club tonight. 27 people will be asked to show their techniques, katas, bunkai, self defense, sparring and breakfalls. But most of all, what we will ask them to show (sometimes we'll even demand it) is their heart.
Gradings are never easy. You will be exhausted and frustrated. You will feel picked on and picked apart. And there are two ways in which you can choose to deal with it. The first way is to dig down deep, to develop your no-quit attitude and push through whatever pain ails you most (whether it's your knees or your brain!), the second way to deal with it is much easier: you can quit. We strongly suggest you choose the first way.
Life is a lot like a karate grading. You see people everyday who choose the second way. People who hate their job, hate their life and are basically miserable. And hopefully you see some people who also choose the first way (maybe you are one!). These people pursue their dreams no matter how many obstacles are in their way. Success isn't easy. If it was, the taste wouldn't be so sweet. Sometimes pursuing your dreams is incredibly hard. Some days you'll wonder if it's even worth it. Some days that second way will look pretty good.
Whenever times get tough and reaching for your dream leaves you frustrated and exhausted, always remember that the best success stories had tales of incredible hardship that came first. We never hear of success stories that go "Yeah, life was pretty good and then I became successful and it was great!". Success stories are always more like "I had pretty much hit rock bottom, I was out of money, didn't know how I'd make rent next month...thank God I didn't give up though or I don't know what would have happened. Look at me now! All of my hard work was worth it."
When we reach our goals, we're going to have one hell of a tale to tell. And that's the way it should be. :)
Now....back to tonight's grading. Every good grading also has a tale to tell. Let's make this grading one we'll all want to hear over and over again.
Good luck everyone.