For example, I am a black belt in karate. I have been training for 5 years. The black belt test in my style is VERY intense and requires extensive conditioning training as well as mastering 10 different katas (a choreographed set of karate movements which symbolizes the battle between you and yourself as you are your own perfect enemy), all the bunkai (the extrapolation of what various movements from the kata would represent if someone really attacked you) for half of them and 1 each for the other half, application of half of the katas (a 2-person choreographed "fight" which goes back and forth and back and forth), a set of self defense drills, as well as a cardio sparring drill. The fail rate of the black belt test is high. Only about half the people I know passed on their first attempt. When I took my test, I applied the Jackrabbit principles. I trained hard and did the work I needed to physically- I wasn't just hoping a "rabbit" would hop by, but I also visualized and prayed with gratitude because I knew that God wanted me to have the desire of my heart to earn my belt. I was grateful that he allowed me to train despite my husband working out of town for half the time during the 5 months before my test. God put in my path a babysitter that was available twice a week for just a short time to allow me to keep training. I didn't walk around saying, "If I pass..." I set out to say, "I will pass..." Lo and behold, after a lot of hard work, I passed. This was only a gateway into more training because now I am training to confirm that I am worthy of holding the rank of a first degree blackbelt (I am un-certified). I spend a year training and continuing to work on my basics and techniques. Then I test again with a different set of kata, application, and bunkai.
So, what does this have to do with homeschooling?
As a homeschooler I have set out on a hard path. It has its rocks, blind corners, and blood, sweat, and tears. As long as I stay close to the Spirit, asking in faith that God will send me answers, I can be successful.
I want my children to learn this lesson too. I want them to know how to create a goal, visualize it, know what it will be like, pray for it, and work for it, and finally achieve it despite trials they may encounter. To help me, I just bought a book from Amazon that was recommended to me by Katie Vrajich from A Woman Who Lived. It is called Fox and the Mountain. It is a sweet book to help teach children to persevere and keep working towards their goals no matter how hard the climb and in spite of the nay-sayers.
I can't wait to read it to my children tomorrow.
Update March 1:
This book made an impact on my children. Tiger decided that he wanted to learn a kata for karate. It is a tough kata and he missed several days of class and was behind the class in it. He told dh that he wanted to use that kata for an upcoming tournament. Dh advised him against it since he still didn't know it. Ds said, "Dad, it is like the apple at the top of the mountain! I can do this." He spent the next several days really studying the kata and learned it well because he wanted that apple.
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