Unexpected Strength
Fuerza Inesperada--por Autor Desconocido
Un niño de 10 años decidió hacer judo a pesar de haber perdido el brazo izquierdo en un devastador accidente automovilístico.
Empezó a tomar clases con un antiguo maestro de judo. Le iba bien, así que no entendía por qué, después de tres meses de entrenamiento, el maestro solo le había enseñado un movimiento.
Finalmente, el niño dijo: "Maestro, ¿debería aprender más movimientos?".
"Este es el único movimiento que conoces, pero es el único que necesitarás saber", respondió el maestro.
Sin comprender del todo, pero con fe en su maestro, el niño siguió entrenando. Varios meses después, el maestro lo llevó a su primer torneo. Para su propia sorpresa, ganó fácilmente sus dos primeros combates. El tercer combate resultó ser más difícil, pero después de un tiempo, su oponente se impacientó y atacó; el niño usó hábilmente su único movimiento para ganar el combate. Aún asombrado por su éxito, había llegado a la final.
Esta vez, su oponente era más grande, más fuerte y más experimentado. Por un momento, el chico parecía estar superado. Preocupado de que se hiciese daño, el árbitro pidió un tiempo muerto. Estaba a punto de detener el combate cuando el maestro intervino y dijo: "No, que continúe". El combate se reanudó, y el oponente del chico cometió un error crítico: bajó la guardia. Al instante, el chico usó su movimiento para inmovilizarlo. Había ganado el combate y el torneo. Era el campeón.
De camino a casa, el chico y su maestro repasaron cada movimiento de cada combate. Finalmente, el chico se armó de valor para preguntar lo que realmente pensaba: "Maestro, ¿cómo gané el torneo con un solo movimiento?".
"Ganaste por dos razones", respondió el maestro. "Primero, casi dominas una de las proyecciones más difíciles de todo el judo. Y segundo, la única defensa conocida para ese movimiento es que tu oponente te agarre el brazo izquierdo". La mayor debilidad del chico se había convertido en su mayor fortaleza.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Recuerdas alguna ocasión en la que algo que considerabas una debilidad se convirtió en una fortaleza? Si pudieras aplicar la lección de esta historia a tu vida, ¿qué harías diferente? ¿Cómo han influido otros maestros en tu vida en lo referente a lo que crees posible?
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Can you think of a time when something you saw as a weakness turned out to be a strength? If you could apply the lesson from this story to your life, what would you do differently? How have other teachers in your life influenced what you see as possible?
Add Your Reflection
15 Past Reflections
On Mar 26, 2025 stream wrote :
A lot to ponder in this story. I was seen as overly sensitive and easily cried and had a very hard time accepting any thing I felt was injustice. So, I interpreted that as me being a "weirdo" or something wrong with me. My sensitivity , emotionality, and caring for justness are certainly what shaped me to be the human I am and love. It may have been wonderful to have had a happier childhood and found others that appreciated the qualities that I hid. I eventually was drawn to and chose teachers who demonstrated compassion and self awareness.
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Deepika Patel wrote :
A simple story driving home “Practise makes perfect “ yet again.
As we know, this is the truest truth!
This translates into my life in the form of running. I started as a young Mother more so because of the flexibility in terms of time. I could only run when the baby was sleeping. Cut to 26 years ( and counting ), I’m now a seasoned marathoner without even realising how I got here.
As we know, this is the truest truth!
This translates into my life in the form of running. I started as a young Mother more so because of the flexibility in terms of time. I could only run when the baby was sleeping. Cut to 26 years ( and counting ), I’m now a seasoned marathoner without even realising how I got here.
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Jagdish P. Dave wrote :
My Reflections:
This article has drawn my attention to the importance of the value of seeing objects, situations,
people, relationships and above all my own self. There is a wise saying in Sanskrit: Yatha
dristihi tatha sristihi: The world appears as we see it. People, objects, situations, relationships
and above my own self are perceived according to my inner mind state: with a clear mind state
like the clear sky or the cloudy state. We tend to project our inner world onto our world. Our
perception creates the outer world. Our mind, our inner vision is the cause of inner freedom or
inner bondage. As the Bhagavad Geeta says: Manaha eva manushyanam karanam
bandhmokshayho.
As I am advancing in age and as I am getting older, my inner world has been getting more free
from the inner bondage I myself have created. I have learned the significance of seeing and
relating to people clearly, empathetically and compassionately.
The first teachers in my life were my parents. My father t... [View Full Comment]
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Paul wrote :
I love the lessons: patience, respect, practice, faith, obedience, ultimate achievement. These teaching stories are powerful
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Anilkumar Pandit wrote :
Brilliant message to leverage even weakness into strength.
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Charles Tutt wrote :
Beautiful, touching, inspiring, meaningful, and useful. A good theme upon which to meditate daily.
Post Your Reply
On Mar 25, 2025 Fiona wrote :
Resonates! I struggled in a very challenging marriage for many years. I felt ill equipped for dealing with my husbands metal health challenges and addiction. But I just kept showing up with my authentic self and getting on with developing myself. It drove me to work hard on my own demons and motivated me to be true to myself. When I finally left the marriage I realized I had developed the skills I needed to recreate my life again from nothing and knew what I was in curating mt new life.
Post Your Reply
On Mar 21, 2025 David Doane wrote :
Wonderful story! I've had the experience of something I saw as weakness become a strength. As a child, my learning that people were happier if I was quiet turned me inward, which had negative and positive aspects. The positive of turning inward was finding more of me. Eventually I grew to be louder and more outward and held onto at least some of what I gained in turning inward. If I could do it differently, I would learn at a younger age that my expressing me is an asset and I would learn to turn inward in a different way. I've had some wonderful teachers. From them I learned that I am plenty, that very much is possible, and it's for me to live and make good use of what I am. I'm still working on it.
2 replies: Fiona, David | Post Your Reply
On Mar 21, 2025 allie wrote :
“You won for two reasons,” the teacher 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.” The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength....
the importance of simplicity...
and staying simple
:)
the importance of simplicity...
and staying simple
:)
Post Your Reply
On Mar 20, 2025 Victoria wrote :
Love the story and the reminder of how our perceived weaknesses can be our greatest strengths. Beautiful!
1 reply: Amy | Post Your Reply
On Mar 20, 2025 Barbara S. wrote :
What an inspiring story. A beautiful reading to start my day. Teachers have been my heroes. I believe many of my teachers changed the course of my life. The support and kindness of teachers set the stage for my interest in education.