When I was young I felt like no one and nothing.
I’d dreamed of going to university, flying the nest, travelling the world, and having a great career as an interpreter in foreign climes. Instead my parents took me out of school aged 16 because I had one bad year where school was boring and I was well and truly ready to go to college. As a result I didn’t even get one O’level. That was entry level for a decent job in those days.
They put me into a job I had never wanted, and that was when my life fell apart. No meaningful education, no prospects, decades of okay jobs that didn’t match up to my dreams.
So many disappointments followed, but I achieved one thing that carries me through…I am a black belt. Not a violent, all-kicking-all-punching, that’s not what we’re about. In my art it was:
Courtesy – Integrity – Perseverance – Self-control – Indomitable Spirit
That’s who a black belt is. The last person who wants to be involved in a fight is a black belt, not only because it would be very hard to convince the police you didn’t mean to break anything, but more because it’s such a spectacular waste of time.
Not as much of a waste of time as world leaders starting a war, but equally as pointless.
Much of life is more about the confidence to be yourself than anything else. It’s not the black belt that counts here, it’s that I took on something so completely not me, and I won. That’s what changed my attitude to me, and it’s why I love that certificate more than either of my degree certificates.
Teaching children to have confidence in a non-violent way, showing women how to be safer on the streets, all those things were such an enormous privilege. I am forever grateful that my hubby got me out of high heels and into bare feet!
What truly lifts us comes from inside!
Deb xx
Deb Hawken - Amorah 