Team Karate Centers
Proudly Presents
2004 Black Belt Spectacular
Click in individual pictures to read more about each graduate ...
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A note from Mr.
Fariborz
The Journey
THANKS &
Acknowledgments
Vision Statements
Dedicated to the memory of …
Michael Scott Tritt
1956 – 1970
who is watching over Richard, Michelle and Michael today
Ruth Korek
who is watching over Paul today
to
Cheryl
“May the TKC Black Belts understand that you were never an option,
but a person.
and to
Mr. Saeed
“We have missed you …”
Acres of Diamonds
A century ago, Russell Conwell traveled the United States with a speech he
called, "Acres of Diamonds." He told of a young man who studied at Yale to
become a mining engineer. Upon graduation, "gold fever" struck him and he set
off to California to seek his fortune.
Yale had offered him a position as an instructor, which he turned down. He
persuaded his mother to sell their Massachusetts farm and accompany him. But the
trip was futile as he found no gold and eventually accepted a job in Minnesota
working for a mining company - at a lower salary than he would have received at
Yale.
More interesting is that the man who bought the family farm from the widowed
mother was harvesting potatoes one day. As he slid a heavy bushel through an
opening in the stone wall, he noticed a shiny stone. He had it assayed and
learned it was native silver.
The farm was sitting on a fortune in silver!
Why had the mining engineer, who had undoubtedly passed by that same rock and
others like it hundreds of times, not discovered the ore?
Could it be that he never dreamed a treasure could be found so easily?
Was it because he believed that one must go elsewhere to fulfill a dream?
What we are seeking may be found right where we are! There are certainly times
to make life changes, but sometimes we must simply change our thinking.
What you seek (happiness, security, fulfillment, challenge) may be at your
fingertips, though yet unseen.
There may be hidden potential in your present job, your current relationships or
the location in which you live.
The answers to your dreams may be found at your fingertips if you only believe
it is possible.
Before making that big life change, look carefully around.
YOU may be sitting on acres of diamonds!
To my beautiful wife, Nina, who is the wind beneath my wings when I make things
happen at TKC. You have sacrificed so much! You are the diamond mine.
To my teacher, Steve Sexton, whom I always return to after studying with the
best in the world. To him, the diamond in my backyard …
Fariborz Azhakh
A note from Mr. Fariborz
Dear Spectators, Parents, Friends and Guests,
Welcome to the October 2004 TKC Black Belt Spectacular. Today is a celebration
of excellence for all those who have worked very hard to attain the rank of
Black Belt in Hapkido/Blend. These candidates have been preparing for this final
event for the past 6 months. Each candidate has had to participate in, and pass
3 qualification exams along with special events to earn their “ticket” to the
Black Belt Spectacular. Our candidates each come from different backgrounds and
lifestyles. While each candidate possesses a different reason why they started
this journey, they all must address the same question: “Will I have a Black
Belt, or Black Belt Excellence?
Black Belt:
Completing the minimum requirements to achieve a Black Belt
in the quickest and easiest possible way without creating any possibilities.
Requires the minimum required attention and energy level.
Result: A beautiful Black Belt to wear around your waist.
Black Belt Excellence:
Completing the requirements to your highest possible level and
taking every moment as if it is the last moment you have to train.
Committing yourself to create an unprecedented future and to create
limitless possibilities as a Black Belt, not only in martial arts, but in life.
Result: A beautiful experience that will allow you to live a life worth living.
The choice is theirs...
A moment of choice; isn’t that what it’s
all about? Let us all understand, appreciate and use our last freedom, the
freedom of choice. I wish the following for these candidates: That they always
exercise their right to choose, whether it be their moods, their actions or any
aspect of their lives.
Respectfully yours,
Fariborz Azhakh
The Journey
Before White Belt
You dream of being in the game
At White Belt
You decide to be in the game
At Orange Belt
You can see yourself playing the game
At Yellow Belt
You are introduced to the game
At Green Belt
You are invited to make a commitment to the game
At Blue Belt
You realize that the game is more than just a game
At Brown Belt
You realize that you have to earn your ticket to the game
At Red Belt and Red & Black Belt
You learn the ground rules for the game
Upon earning your 1st Degree Black Belt
You earn your ticket to the game
At 2nd Degree Black Belt
You realize that the game is just beginning
At 3rd Degree Black Belt
You realize that the game is never over
At 4th Degree Black Belt
The game is everywhere you look
At 5th Degree Black Belt
You think you know the game so well. You decide to have your own game.
At 6th degree Black Belt
You realize that you have always been in the game.
You decide to be in the game again.
No need to reinvent it.
To the spectators:
When you hear something, you forget it. When you see something, you remember
it.
But not until you do something will you understand it.
My sincere thanks to Michelle and Vito pace for their countless hours of extra
work and the gift that they are to our center and the difference that they have
made in this group.
To those candidates who think they got away with not doing what they were
supposed to:
Guess what? You didn’t!
"It takes a whole village to raise a child." Ashanti proverb
To My Village,
Thank you for adopting Laila as a small part of the team.
To all the supporting parents who went out of their way to make this exam
special.
To all the candidates, whom without you none of this would have been possible.
To the TKC staff who are the building blocks of this organization ….
Some people think that being a Black Belt is all about breaking boards, bricks
and bones;
Some think that Black Belts actually register their hands with law agencies;
Some think that being a Black Belt is about performing incredible acts like
walking through fire, doing push ups with their tongues or other circus acts;
Some even measure their level of proficiency by comparing it to others.
I strongly believe that being a Black Belt is all about doing the
ordinary things in an extraordinary manner.
Things like living, loving, learning, leaving a legacy & doing the 7 counts…
“To produce extraordinary results from ordinary people.
I create this by introducing them to the little extra.”
Fariborz Azhakh
Phoenix
We are a team united, rising together and challenging ourselves to attain Black
Belt Excellence.
We strengthen our spirit and transform ourselves into individuals of greater
integrity and inspiration through dedication, focus, and perseverance.
As we were created from the legacy of our teachers, we will guide others to make
a positive impact.
WE ARE THE PHOENIX OF TKC
Back In Black
We are a team of individuals striving to exceed even our own expectations.
We are here to continue our journey toward Black Belt Excellence and take our
Black Belt to the next level.
We are here to overcome new obstacles, feed our minds, and strengthen our bodies
by exploring new challenges and experiences.
We will achieve our goal through perseverance, teamwork, and determination.
A final note to all the candidates
Dear Black Belt Student:
“Teachers open doors, you enter by yourself...”
Now that you have reached your goal of becoming a Black Belt,
it is your choice
to continue this journey, the journey to Black Belt Excellence.
This journey to
Black Belt Excellence is a moment-by-moment choice
to exercise your right to
choose by not doing more things right, but by doing the right thing.
The goal is not the Black Belt. You have learned many concepts and tools that
can help you in all aspects of your life.
So please use them carefully and share
them with others.
For those who decide to continue with their training,
I congratulate you on your decision in this moment of glory.
For those who make the decision to continue and do continue,
I welcome you to the limitless possibilities that you get to create by
continuing your education in martial arts.
For those who leave and are satisfied with their Black Belt,
I thank you for the time you shared with me and I wish you the best in all that
you do.
Always remember, “Direction is more important then speed”.
Love,
Fariborz
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