Globals 2022 ... Now what?

This past week was a big one for the staff team. GSH's parent organization, GTMA, held their second annual Global Celebration all last week, which included Rank Testing and Midterms, a stunning Master's Ceremony, and of course the daunting Tournament of Champions on Saturday. A full agenda of events meant being constantly on the move and on our toes--nothing was going unnoticed by us.

Of course, TOC went better than any of us could ever ask for. Twelve Global Championship titles came home--all eight of our competitors got to stand on the podium at least once this weekend. Out of less than fifteen Grand Championship jackets awarded Saturday evening, GSH Elite Martial Arts won TWO back. Most importantly, all four of the GSH staff members are now Global Champions! 

It was a sparkling, star-studded weekend. All those grueling days of practice and conditioning paid off in the end in some way. And yes, we took plenty of time to celebrate and live in the moment.

But... now what? It's been three days since those medals were placed around our necks, and the magic has worn off. What's left to do other than start the long drive home, the laundry, catch up on sleep?

We go to class the next day.

Yes, when one achieves a goal, celebrations are appreciated and even needed. There is a line, however, between being sincerely proud of oneself and being overly egotistical. A good martial artist (and even a good person!) remembers that even after a big win, they can always improve on themselves. They know that they won't be able to ride that high forever. There will be a time where there is nothing left to do but leave that milestone behind and continue on. 

"There is always someone better than you." A good martial artist takes this statement, absorbs it, and keeps training. That gold medal might have been a lucky win--perhaps their greatest competitor failed to step onto the mat that day. The other route to take would be to take the statement, absorb it, and step down in defeat. But GSH does not give up; there is always another tournament to chase, another goal to reach, another mountain to climb.

What choice will we make as a school, a team, individuals? The answer should be clear to you.

​Now, what choice will YOU make?