Slow Progress is Better than No Progress

Many of us are familiar with the story of the tortoise and the hare. If not, it goes something like this: A race was held between a boastful rabbit and a slow-moving turtle, where the underdog was able to pull out a race through perseverance and a never quit attitude.

Throughout the race, the hare constantly taunted the tortoise, bragging about his speed and how effortlessly he could win and confident in his victory, the hare eventually decided to take a nap on a grassy knoll. Meanwhile, the determined tortoise kept moving steadily forward and ultimately passed the sleeping hare, winning the race.

This classic fable is a great metaphor for martial arts training. It symbolizes the journey we embark on with our students, building their skills one belt at a time. As we begin graduation demonstrations this week, the atmosphere is charged with excitement as students sharpen their skills and become more engaged in their practice.

Just a little over two months ago, we were all learning new techniques and going through the process of figuring them out. You might remember moments of struggle—forgetting moves or feeling unsure about executing certain techniques. These challenges are a natural and intended part of the testing cycle.

Life mirrors this process: we experience ups and downs, learn new things, perform, and then move forward—again and again. The steady progress of the tortoise reminds us that slow and consistent effort wins the race.

The world is filled with starters but not nearly as many finishers. Let's continue our quest for excellence, remembering that each session, a little extra effort can lead to greater success.

So I invite you to mark your calendars for December 14 as we will be conducting graduation that morning, and we want to ensure everyone can attend. We look forward to celebrating your achievements and are excited to see the progress you'll make in the coming weeks.

And remember, slow progress is better than no progress!

Sensei Chris