Why I'm Ready to Test for Second Dan
By: Philip Benson
Sure, becoming a Black Belt is a huge deal and people will respect you for going that far, but second dan is different. Becoming a second dan shows that extra leap of faith to continue on your journey for excellence. These two extra years of training have been very different, with all of the moving and schedule changes, but my fellow first dans and I have shown that no matter the changes and difficulty, we can pull through to get our belts. I'll admit that there were times when I downright didn't care and blew things off, but I'm still here and I will work hard and long to finish the goal of getting my second dan belt.
One other reason I want to accomplish my goal is for the way it changes your outlook on life. Once you have your second dan, you must feel like you've accomplished another chapter in life. It gives new meaning to your life because even if you know you will get your desired outcome eventually, it helps to have little markers on the way. It's like a book and the chapters would be little accomplishments on the way to keep you going to finish the book. In this case the book would be Black Belt excellence and getting to second dan would be finishing a chapter. It would renew my faith and make me continue my want to continue and not quit like others in the past.
Lastly, I want to be a second dan because of the way it changes others' opinions on me and on their lives. If they look at you and know that you accomplished that goal and that others have too, they could gain a sense of motivation for the world and themselves. It may inspire them to work for a black belt, too. It's kind of doing both me and those people a favor. People I know would look up to me in a new light because they would know what a second dan was like,
and becoming associated with something helps to inspire them. One example of this would be my teachers. When asking them for their signatures on the testing form, most were amazed because I was testing for second dan already. Even one, Ms. Hilburn, said aloud to the whole class that she was glad to know me because she knew I wouldn't do anything to harm her. And though it may seem a little bit self-centered, I believe I am ready to be even more of a role model for others.
and becoming associated with something helps to inspire them. One example of this would be my teachers. When asking them for their signatures on the testing form, most were amazed because I was testing for second dan already. Even one, Ms. Hilburn, said aloud to the whole class that she was glad to know me because she knew I wouldn't do anything to harm her. And though it may seem a little bit self-centered, I believe I am ready to be even more of a role model for others.
So that is the three main reasons why I want to and believe I should be promoted to Black Belt second dan. I hope that this and my performance at the test make you believe I should be this distinct and important rank in Tang Soo Do.
