At Stoic BJJ, we aim to teach and instill 12 life skills within each of our members, both kids and adults. For the month of June, we focus on COURAGE. Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you, or the strength you may have in the face of pain, grief or intimidation. Courage gives you the ability to put aside your fear of failure and take the first steps; it helps you overcome the fear of rejection and allows you to attempt things you have not tried before.
Jefferson Moura, a 4th degree black belt from Brazil said, “Courage comes from the way you perceive the challenge.” It takes a great deal of knowledge to look at a challenge and understand exactly what it will take to overcome such a challenge – but it takes courage and perseverance to act upon that knowledge and overcome it.
From the day you walked into Stoic BJJ (or any Brazilian jiu jitsu academy), it took courage to open the door, talk to the coach/owner, put a gi on, step on the mat and try a sport you may have never seen or heard of. It took courage to come back after most likely being sore and bruised from the first class, and it took courage to sign up for the month or even year. Every day you walk into the building, it takes courage. There will be good days where everything clicks and you stay dominant during each round, but there will also be bad days when you tap every round. It happens to everyone, even black belts who train every day. But to stand up afterward, shake your partner’s hand and tell them good job is the only way to move past it.
Being courageous does not have to mean signing up for every tournament or trying to roll with the biggest and best guy in the gym – though it doesn’t hurt to try. Having the courage to walk in every day and commit an hour and a half to yourself and your jiu jitsu is where you can start your growth, not just for this month, but for the rest of your life.
