I am not the consummate cheerleader – in fact (even though I was one) I am not one to yell and clap unless there is a visible, wow-factor reason. That said, I know that cheering someone on can help them achieve their goals, so I do yell, and hoot, and clap…but in the end, if you are not ready and willing, it won’t happen. In the end, it’s up to you to make it happen.

Even the most excited, screaming encouragement and raving fans won’t get you over the wall, though the pain and the muscle fatigue.

You have to practice. You have to have endurance. You have to build up your strength. You have to take each breath and push through the pain.

You want to be a black belt? It’s more than paying the monthly fee and going to class twice (at least) each week. No parent, sibling, grandparent, teacher, coach or peer can MAKE you do it.

It’s up to you – to do it. The push ups. The sit ups. The squats. The burpees (I hate those, even if just for the image it conjures rather than anything else.) The katas. Learning the moves of the self defense techniques, and moving through the air with intention. That is how you get there.

~ Dawn aka Hat Girl