Having been involved in the martial arts for a few decades since I was 10. I have been privy to many positive memories both in and out of the dojo with practitioners and Masters that I have encountered and trained with. I would like to share one with the members of one that occured to me while training this past weekend and would love to hear of those memories that have impacted other members as well. Here goes:
This past weekend I was in Laredo, Texas attending a Seminar with Hiroshi Kato,Shihan. I was tested by Kato Sensei last November and granted the rank of Shodan. I was given the choice of recieving my Certificate in the mail or wait till Kato Sensei returned to the states this month. Well guess which one I opted for, duh. I attended the seminar with my Judo Sensei and so as usual my Judo Sensei and I put on our white belts prior to any seminar training I don't host. While I was on the mat streching prior to the Seminar starting I was approched by Kato Sensei and was asked by his interpretor Sakahara where my Hakama was. I replied that I did not feel it proper to wear my Hakama prior to recieving my certificate. Kato Sensei replied to me that if I had it to go put it on, that I was Instructor now. This affirmed his trust in me to pass on the art in the spirit of Aikido as intended. I put my hakama on but left my blackbelt in the bag and wore my white belt under the Hakama instead and proceeded to have a blast for 2 days of training and sharing.
This may seem trivial to some, but believe it or not I found this more memorable than actually recieving the Certificate. I will never forget the look of conviction in his eyes when he said those words to me. All self doubt, apprehenshions regarding my skill level, etc, left me that moment. Have a few Black Belts before this but there was something distinctly different for this 50 year old practitioner when those words pierced my soul.
Lets hear some of your experiences!