Today I posted an April 1st prank on Facebook. Didn't think ANYONE would fall for it but a few did.
Google the word "Sciocco" and see what comes up....
Details below.
"Stories from a 50-something judoka."
Showing posts with label expert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label expert. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 April 2015
Tuesday, 23 September 2014
The Eternal Practitioner
Throughout life there are different sets of responsibilities
that slot into place as we walk through the process known as "growing
up."
At about 5 you have to go to school, which is a huge change
from hanging out with mummy or daddy and learning the rules of how to
"play" (i.e. the advent of having to share your toys and say 'please'
and 'thank you'). You may later on have a younger brother or sister to look
after. You will be tasked to "set an example" to the younger kids at
school. You have to tidy your room. Etc.
As you move up in years you may have a part time job (in my
day the ignominious delights of a paper round) and become a Prefect at school
(assuming that they still guilt older kids into being unpaid supervisors for
younger ones).
Your responsibilities mount up as you move ever onwards in
years.
In adulthood most people find a niche that fits the life of
an adult. They form relationships, make lasting friendships and get a job that
pays enough to set up a mortgage. They marry, have children and then settle
into the life of a fully fledged "grown up". Even later in life they
pass their knowledge and wisdom (or lack of) on to the next generation of grand
children.
Life can basically be split into 3 levels. Practitioner, Graduate
and Expert.
At Practitioner level we are learning. While some things are
easy to pick up; such as walking, talking and riding a bike. Others aren't
quite so simple such as maths, science or how to tie your shoelaces quickly.
However we eventually learn and move on.
Graduate skills are based more on using the Practitioner
stuff as a grounding. From basic science we move into the worlds of physics and
chemistry and biology. The ability to speak is used to leapfrog into the skill
of being able to express yourself through writing or learn a second language.
Skills in social interaction will lead to finding a sexual partner and maybe
having children. Being aware of danger will be used to become daily awareness
of personal space, traffic and hazards. The lists go on.
By the time we reach the Expert levels of life, we are
grounded in a full knowledge of Practitioner and Graduate skill sets. The
earlier levels rarely need to be refreshed (although they do need to be, now
and then) and we can pass on our judgments and experience to those who came
into the world later on.
I am approaching a P5 grading, probably in December at the P
camp that Krav Maga Global are holding.
There is a part of me that wants to rest on my laurels once
this is achieved and not go any further. After all, that lovely patch with its
5 bars would look much more eye catching than a G patch with only one
bar...wouldn't it?
Not really...but it's tempting to remain the highest grade of
Practitioner than become the lowest level of Graduate. The reasons are a
mixture of fear, foreboding but mainly the knowledge that I'll have to actually
start taking some responsibility in my life as I move from the P levels to
levels where I will not only be eligible to take an instructor's course
(regrading pending of course) but attend G camp. The primary worry is that by
stepping into big boys' pants I will be obliged to actually act like a
Graduate, rather than remain an eternal Practitioner.
Sometimes growing up can be scary.
Bring it on.
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