Over the course of my career, people ranging from my dad to multiple bosses have asked, encouraged, and even pressured me to pursue leadership positions. Many seemed surprised or baffled at my aversion to it. Twenty years into my tenure at my company and nearly thirty years of being employed in some fashion, I can still say with confidence: NOPE.
And that’s not a bad thing.
Continue reading “The Satisfying Alternative to Leadership”
Last Thursday was one of those taekwondo classes that makes you feel better inside and out. We had that perfect mix of students who take their sport seriously and are there to work hard, even the youngest ones. One younger student, a girl of about ten or eleven, was trying out our dojang for the first time. She had trained in kung fu, and for whatever reason, was looking for a new place to train. She kept up with us perfectly during movement drills and kicking practice. But the real magic happened when she did her form.
Continue reading “Inspired by Greatness (or, What I Learned from a Kung Fu Girl)”
I’ve been doing some work with executives in my company, which requires me to get into a particular floor to access a particular conference room. Every time I go to a meeting, I have to wait in the hallway and hope someone sees me to let me in on time.
One day, my executive leader saw me from the interior window and let me in. She had a puzzled expression on her face.
“You can’t get in?” she said.
“No,” I answered. In my head, I added, “I didn’t even try because I assumed I wouldn’t have access because I don’t belong here.”
My blog is TEN years old! Can you believe it? I began this project as a quiet way to document the life-changing insights I was having about a year into my taekwondo journey. I didn’t tell anyone about it for a few months. Since then it has grown to be a documentation of my journey to black belt and beyond, the inspiration for my 2021 book Kicking and Screaming: a Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts, and home to many guest articles from the larger martial arts world. The blog and the book have pushed me into talking openly about mental illness in the public space, which I’ve done on podcasts, in articles, and even in my workplace.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my thoughts and to the other writers and martial artists who have contributed richness and diversity to the blog.
I have been in the business of adult learning for nearly 15 years. I’m always interested to see how our experiences, whether they are related to martial arts, our professional life, or our relationships, help us learn. In this guest post Ashley Mann shares five things practicing Jiu Jitsu has taught her about the nature of learning. My personal favorite from her list: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
If you would like to contribute a post to Little Black Belt, please review the guest writer guidelines here.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: 5 Things Jiu Jitsu Has Taught Me About Learning”
“I don’t have anything to prove anymore,” I thought randomly as I watched my reflection jog in time to the music in a recent Body Combat class. My feet stayed low to the ground, and my right knee was encased in a stretchy light brace since stomping on a hard gym floor doesn’t feel great for my mostly recovered leg.
It was a nice thought.
Continue reading “The Exhilarating Feeling of Not Caring So Much”
I’m blessed to have a number of guest writers offer their unique perspectives and expertise on this blog just about every month. When Cindy Villanueva contacted me about sharing her writing, I jumped at the chance. Besides our obvious connection of being female martial artists and black belts, Cindy and I have a lot in common. We both have ties to Texas, we’re authors, and, like me, Cindy has benefited greatly from the emotional and mental aspects of martial arts.
This blog post explores universal truths Cindy has gleaned from her decades of martial arts practice.
Enjoy Cindy’s insights below, and be sure to check out her website and her book, Don’t Fight Mad.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: Seven Important Truths Learned From Martial Arts”
The end of the year can feel stressful and overly busy. Make sure you commit to taking care of you this season and throughout the new year. Emma Grace Brown shares some great tips below that I am going to personally follow! Happy holidays and a happy new year. I wish you all the best in the upcoming year.
Continue reading “Guest Writer: A Self-Care Guide to Being Your Absolute Best”
Whether we work for someone else or for ourselves (or in many cases, both), we need work-life balance to be a functioning human. As a corporate employee and authorpreneur, I carefully use and guard my time so I can get the job done while staying healthy, happy, and relatively stress free. Emma Grace Brown (see her website here) offers self-care tips for busy entrepreneurs. There’s always a rush at the end of the year between getting everything done and taking time off for holidays and family.
Please take care of yourselves and each other.
School has started in my country, as have fall sports and activities. From what I’ve seen in the dojang, the kids are ready to work hard and do what they love. Although I’m not a parent, I’m an aunt and a coach, so I’m invested in making sure our kids have the resources and support to be their best and get the most out of life. Regular contributor Emma Grace Brown offers tips for fostering the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the kids in your lives. I’m committed to being a supportive black belt and leader to the kids I train with.
For more of Emma’s work, check out her website: https://emmagracebrown.com/
If you would like to contribute to Little Black Belt, see the guest writer guidelines.
In our ever-evolving world, fostering healthy habits in children takes on greater significance. As parents, caregivers, and educators, we bear the responsibility of molding the future well-being of the next generation. The cornerstone of a lifetime filled with vitality and balance begins during childhood, and this article, courtesy of Little Black Belt, will delve into effective strategies and practical advice for guiding kids toward building long-term healthy habits.
Continue reading “Guest Post: Empowering the Next Generation–Steps Toward a Healthy Future”