The True Meaning of a Black Belt

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Let me begin by sharing to you The Parable of the Black Belt. A young martial artist kneeling before the Master Sensei in a ceremony to receive a hard-earned black belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline. "Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test," says the Sensei. "I am ready," responds the student, expecting perhaps one final round of sparring. "You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the black belt?" "The end of my journey," says the student. "A well-deserved reward for all my hard work." The Sensei waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, the Sensei speaks. "You are not yet ready for …show more content…

It is an achievement shared by many groups of people who have likewise endured with us. Allow me to say thank you to all the parents, grandparents, relatives and guardians who have painstakingly cared for all the graduates. You have given us your unconditional love. You have guided and supported us emotionally and financially. When the times were hard, you were there to believe us. You made us sustain our belief in ourselves. And when we fail, you have assured us. You have spent the majority of your lives making things easy for us, making sure that we have the best of …show more content…

Palagi ninyong sinisigurado na kumpleto ang aking pangangailangan. Pinalaki ninyo ako ng maayos. Tinatanaw ko itong malaking utang na loob na hindi ko kailanman mahihigitan. Pinapangako ko na hindi ko malilimutan ang mga aral na ibinahagi ninyo sa akin. Panahon na para kayo naman ang aking paglingkuran. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. I also like to thank my Southville family: my mentors and peers. We are so privileged to have been molded by the best mentors. You have brought out the best in all of us. You did not only help us learn, you have also made us more human. Through your examples, you have given us a core set of values that would allow us to be movers of society and men and women who will make a difference in the world. Ms. Joji dela Peña, thank you for editing and improving my valedictory address. Your expertise made the words more beautifully interwoven. It was very kind and noble of you to help me with the speech even though it was such a short notice. Ms. Joji, thank you very much! I like to personally thank my dean, Dr. Virginia Caneo. Doc Gina, thank you for the mentoring that you have given me. You were more than just my mentor. You were my mother, my adviser and my personal nagger. You have pushed me by believing in me even when I doubted myself. Thank you very

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