Naevia’s Magic Glasses #2

When I was five, my dad talked to me about joining a Karate class. He showed me some videos of kids and all the cool things that they did with their bodies. The kids looked really strong! One weekend that I spent with my dad, he took me to a Karate Dojo. When I was there I met Sensei Greg. He showed me some moves. He showed me how to hit a punching bag, and he showed me how to block. I was a little clumsy, and I stumbled a little bit trying to learn all of the moves that he was showing me. I remember Sensei Greg being really patient with me, I really liked him a lot. He was kind and funny. The first time that I learned how to do a front kick, he said, “Whoa! You are a natural! That is a powerful kick!” That made me really excited. After the visit to the dojo, my dad and I went out for ice cream. “How did you like the dojo Naevia?” said Dad. “I liked it a lot! When can I go back to visit?” My dad smiled at me. That is how my Karate Journey started. When my dad took me back, Sensei Greg gave me a Gi and a white belt. My Gi looks like white pajamas. It is made of really strong cotton and has ties on the long sleeve top to keep it closed. The first belt you get is white. My dad told me that I can move up to more colors. During my first class, Sensei Greg showed me around. On the wall of the dojo were all of the belts that I could earn as I learned more moves. Although those belts came in all different colors, there was a purple belt that I had my eye on. Sensei Greg could tell. “When can I get that purple belt?’ I asked. “Purple is my favorite color!” My parents always taught me that the color purple stood for power and royalty. What could be more powerful than a purple Karate belt? “Well you need to get through 7 belts before you get to that purple belt. It is going to take some time. Don’t give up. It is important to have a goal and reaching that purple belt is a good first goal for you to have. Once you get to that purple belt, we can find more goals for you to achieve. If you work really hard you will get there. “ “I am going to try my hardest!”, I said. I was determined to bring that belt home with me. “Great! Let’s get started. Go and put that Gi on and let's learn some punches!” “Yes sir!” I exclaimed! After I put on that first Karate Gi and that first white belt, I felt like one of the strong kids that I saw in the videos. I hoped that one day I would have powerful kicks and punches that made those kids look like tiny tornadoes in karate uniforms. I couldn’t wait to be a storm all by myself! I didn’t know that one day, my magic glasses would be an important part of this journey.