*November 18th* (with video)

If you are in the "Parent Team Intervention Program" you've heard me occasionally refer to the life principle, "The very thing that appears to be a person's greatest weakness, is precisely where is that person's greatest strength." A kind of "diamond-in-the-rough" if you will.

One of many examples of this is in the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his right arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. Over time he did well, so he couldn't understand why, after many long months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy naturally used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the young man with one arm might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, the larger of the fighters made a critical mistake, - he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used the one move he knew how to use to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. His one arm was raised in victory with utter amazement on the face of this winner.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what had been troubling him.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei 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 right arm!"

The boy's biggest weakness had become his greatest strength.

I tell you, think about it. Psychologically, in the area where you usually judge yourself weakest, when someone of value believes in you, and you release all anger and resentment, you discover the very quality you believed was weak, was your greatest strength all along!

More will be said about this in the future, but for now, if it is not too early in the morning and you can stand some energetic music, click on:
"CHARLIE THE KARATE CHIMP VIDEO"
for another interesting comparison!!!

[Written by Jim Hogue, MA, MFTI /
Supervisor: Peter Mosgofian, MA, MFT ]

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