A Welcomed Email From One Of Our Black Belts Down Under

Hi Sensei,

I hope you’ve been doing well. I’ve been thinking about the dojo recently and wanted to reach out and let you know how things have been on my end. I just finished my second year of medical school here in Melbourne, Australia which means I am officially halfway to earning my M.D. It still feels a little surreal to say that.

Medical school has been intense. There have been long days of studying, early mornings at the hospital, and a lot of moments where I’ve had to push myself more than I thought I could. This past year was our first real clinical year full time in the hospital. I have had the chance to meet patients from so many different backgrounds and to be part of their care during some incredibly difficult moments. It has been challenging, but also very meaningful.

Through everything, I find myself coming back to my martial arts training and to the years I spent learning under your guidance. I often think about earning my black belt with you in 2018(photo attached), and how much that moment meant to me. I still remember starting my Martial Arts journey in kindergarten back in 2005, and all the years between white belt and black belt. Those years shaped me in ways I did not fully understand at the time. The discipline, resilience, focus, and sense of responsibility I learned in the dojo have stayed with me.

Sometimes, when medical school feels overwhelming, I remind myself that I once made it through a three hour black belt grading. At the time it felt almost impossible, but I did it. That memory gives me a surprising amount of strength when I need it most.

Having my name plaque on the wall beneath the words “Those that have endured” has taken on a deeper meaning as I have gotten older. When I think about it now, it represents far more than earning a black belt. It reminds me that discipline, perseverance and humility are what carry us through the important challenges in our lives,

You had such a positive influence on me during all those years of training. I carry the lessons I learned from you into every part of my life, and I am very grateful for that.

I hope everything has been good with you and with the dojo. 

Best regards,

Bavneet