Monkey tried and tried, took a breather, and then tried and tried again, but could not break her board. She was frustrated and close to tears. What made it worse for her, was that her little brother had been successful. At one point, trying to help her feel better, her instructor privately showed her how Bucket's board had actually been "easier" than her board, since it contained seams and hers did not. All it succeeded in doing was making her want an "easier" board. Instead, her instructor sent the board home with her, so she could look at it, think about it, sleep with it, mentally conquer that board and bring it to class next week. Then they will work on her technique and keep at it until she breaks her board.
On the way home from the Karate demo, Monkey sat by me in the front seat and we had an interesting discussion. I explained to her that breaking a board was about technique, effort and ATTITUDE. We discussed how the board can represent obsticles and challenges in life. If you only HIT the board, it won't break - it will stop you, but if you kick THROUGH the board, it breaks easily. I reminded her that we can not compare our challenges (or boards) to someone else's. Yes, the instructor gave Bucket an "easier" board, but NOT because it would be easy for him, but because it was the right level of challenge FOR HIM. Bucket still had to hit the board correctly, hit with ALL his power and have a positive attitude. It still stretched him and made him grow. It struck me as very profound. Just as the Karate instructor picked the board he felt was the right match for each student - something that would make them work and grow, but still within their capabilities - our Heavenly Father allows us to face the challenges in life that are "right" for us. He knows the current level of our "abilities" and He knows what our potential is. Our individual challenges are what WE need to reach that potential. We never need to compare our lot to anyone else's because all of us are being challenged, in the ways that are right for us. And just as a Karate instructor is there to help and motivate and show his student how to break through their board, our Father is there. He will work with us until we break our board. I am very grateful for that understanding.
What an awesome mom, to make this connection. Sometimes I get the bigger picture, but most of the time, I'm just telling my kids to quit whining. You've inspired me to try and be better.
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