Post by stonerwolf on May 1, 2008 21:08:12 GMT -5
Our Greatest Weakness
Sometimes your greatest weakness can become your greatest strength I'm reminded of the story of a 10-year-old boy named Mark who decided to study judo even though he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. Mark began lessons with an old Japanese judo master and was doing well. But after three months, he couldn't understand why the master had taught him only one move. The master told him, "This is the only move you'll ever need to know." Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, Mark kept training. Several months later, the master took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, he easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged. Mark deftly used his one move to win the match. He was now in the finals. This time his opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced. For a while, Mark appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the master intervened and said, "Let him continue." Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake; he dropped his guard. Instantly, Mark used his move to pin him, winning the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, Mark and the judo master reviewed every move in each match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "How did I win the tournament with only one move?" "You won for two reasons," the judo master answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." His greatest weakness had become his greatest strength.