Often, the fact of the matter is that while both have the same title, one may go the extra distance. You don’t know how many times I have seen students complain that someone started training months after them, but that person is now passing them in rank.

This is a tale of two students. One young man and one young woman. The young man began training two years ago, the woman began training about 14 months ago.

The young man, we’ll call him George, attended class weekly trying to learn lessons as they came. Every once in a while he would ask his seniors a question or two, try out the lessons at home and, when possible, attend a second class during the week. He enjoyed the training, even if some days the lesson eluded him. His goal was to advance in rank and attain a black belt.

The young woman, we’ll call her Susan, also enjoyed class. She joined to learn how to protect herself but found that the training offered her more. She came to every class that was offered, sometimes even when she was sick. Arriving at the dojo, she bowed at the entrance and immediately started stretching. Class started and she listened intently and asked questions when appropriate. Her goal was simple – learn something new every class and try to move more smoothly than she did at the previous class.

It was very apparent to all the students and instructors that Susan was moving more smoothly each week, though she didn’t see her own progress so clearly. She received several ranks and, in truth, was moving well along. As time passed, George seemed bogged down in his own thoughts. He missed more classes than ever and his steam was running out. He seemed destined to quit.

My story is similar to George’s. There are people ranked higher than me who haven’t been training nearly as long. While that may cause a moment’s pause, I usually shrug it off. Their rank is a reflection of THEIR journey – not mine. It doesn’t matter to me in the least.

There’s an old martial arts proverb that says “With one eye fixed on the destination there is only one left to guide you along the journey.” If you’re going to learn, you have to free your mind of desire and let the lesson be the guide.