Respect
I taught two classes the other day and the next class was the 4 to 7-year-olds who came in rushing. The instructor asked, "Who can tell me the meaning of respect?" Someone said, "it is how you treat people the way you want to be treated,"— powerful words coming from a child. Respect is a major part of the martial arts, we bow to the flag, grandmaster and black belts, then to one another, showing respect. We always kneel when putting on or taking off our belts, showing respect. Someone asked me if you kneel when taking off your belt when you are alone? Yes I do, to show respect for the belt I am earning and all the years and hard work it took to get it!
A head instructor at another school asked if I would come over and review the students going to be tested for their black belts. I asked my wife if she would like to come and we could grab something to eat afterwards. They all did a good job as it was getting late and I thought it time to go. I knelt down and started to remove my belt when the instructor said everyone stop! Master Beef is leaving, they all bowed to me and I returned the bow as well, showing respect. In the car I said to my wife, I really think this showing of respect is a great thing, how about calling me master from now on, she said, here you go master and gave me a dope slap, boy did that hurt!
