In the past month, I’ve experienced an increase in skill in Brazilian Jiujitsu. As a white belt, these confidence boosts are incredibly motivating.
Few feelings are better than the feeling of improvement. I feel more capable of helping and teaching newer students. Certain submissions and defenses are becoming more automatic. I was feeling high.
Then yesterday, I rolled against a purple belt in front of our coach. Naturally, he wanted to show his stuff…so he absolutely destroyed me.
He may as well have been wrestling a toddler.
All of the ego boosts I’ve felt in the past month turned to ash during those five minutes. But as horrible as it was, it was a truly beautiful experience.
Why? Because of the useful reminders which came from it: