Extraordinary and Inspirational Young people

My 100th post is dedicated to young people. I watched them with fascination this summer performing this extraordinary disciplined acrobatics.

A great teaching
There was a student studying the martial arts. One day the student asked his instructor how long it would take to achieve the rank of black belt. The instructor responded that it would take two years.

The student then asked how long it would take to advance to black belt if he practiced twice as hard and twice as long every day. The instructor responded that it would take four years.

Puzzled, the student then asked how long it would take to advance to black belt if he practiced four times as hard and four times as long every day. The instructor responded that it would take eight years.

Even more puzzled, the student then asked how long it would take to advance to black belt if he practiced eight times as hard and eight times as long every day. The instructor responded that it would take sixteen years.

The student, feeling very frustrated at this point, asked why it would take longer to earn a black belt when he was trying harder and practicing constantly to earn it. The instructor responded "If you have one eye constantly on the black belt, that only leaves one eye to focus on what you are currently learning."

The point to take from this is don't get too caught up in thinking about the next belt after the one you are preparing for, but to keep your focus where it belongs and be the best at the level you are currently at. Everything you learn is the foundation for what you will learn next. Build strong foundations and strive for excellence in what you are doing at this moment.