A martial artist is kneeling before his master sensei in a ceremony to receive a hard-earned black belt. After years of relentless training, the student has finally reached a pinnacle of achievement in the discipline.

“Before granting the belt, you must pass one more test,” says the sensei.

“I am ready,” responds the student, expecting perhaps one final round of questioning.

“You must answer the essential question: What is the true meaning of the black belt?”

“The end of my journey,” says the student. “A well-deserved reward for all my hard work.”

The sensei waits for more. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, the sensei speaks. “You are not yet ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels again in front of the sensei.

“What is the true meaning of the black belt?” asks the sensei.

“A symbol of distinction and highest achievement in our art,” says the student.

The sensei says nothing for many minutes, waiting. Clearly, he is not satisfied. Finally, he speaks. “You are still not ready for the black belt. Return in one year.”

A year later, the student kneels once again in front of the sensei. Once again, the sensei asks: “What is the true meaning of the black belt?”

“The black belt represents the beginning – the start of a never ending journey of discipline, work, and the pursuit of an ever-higher standard,” says the student.

“Yes. You are now ready to receive the black belt and begin your work.”

If the people are governed by laws and punishment is used to maintain order, they will try to avoid punishment but have no sense of shame. If they are governed by virtue and rules of propriety are used to maintain order, they will have a sense if share and will be good as well. Confucius 

Gazelle vs Lion
African proverb
Every day the gazelle wakes up knowing if it can't outrun the fastest lion it is going to be somebody's breakfast.
Every day the lion wakes up knowing if it can not outrun the slowest gazelle it will go hungry

The persuit of excellence

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.  He held up a sign which said:  “I am blind, please help.”  There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by.  He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed The sign came to see how things were.

The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign This morning?  What did you write?”

The man said, “I only wrote the truth.  I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote: “Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.”

Both signs told people that the boy was blind.  But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story:  Be thankful for what you have. . .  Be creative.  Be innovative. Think differently and positively.