One reason I fell in love with karate is that I didn't have any expectations when I began — none about what I would learn and none about what I would achieve. Often, expectations — and the accompanying failure of reality to meet them — result in disappointments and frustration.

     In retrospect, it was fortunate that I was totally ignorant about karate, aikido, kung fu and judo. If I had known anything about them, I might have been disappointed in my expectations. I guess this is an example where "ignorance is bliss." I couldn't be disappointed because I didn't expect anything. Each time Mr. Hu taught a new technique or principle, I was excited, inspired, even enthralled.

     I never would have expected to be amazed by the simple concept that my thumb must not go inside my fist. I would not have expected to feel incredibly proud when I was able to do ten pushups and again when I could complete twenty. I would not have expected to feel challenged by not knowing where the floor was as I learned to do front rolls. I certainly never would have expected to feel inspired by learning to perform a prescribed sequence of punches and kicks. I would not have expected to admire my instructor, and I never expected to become one myself. I did not expect the martial arts to become an integral part of my life, my psyche, my philosophy. Yet, I suspect that if I had expected any of these things, my training would have turned out differently.

     The drop-out rate in martial arts schools is very high. If a school keeps ten percent of its beginning students for a year, it is doing well. There are lots of reasons for this high turnover, but I am sure that a primary one is students’ unmet expectations. I have seen students enroll expecting to be stars who become disappointed when they do not feel admiration flowing their way. I have seen students expecting to "learn to fight" who are disappointed when they realize that class involves hours of repetitive exercises. I have seen students expecting to get their black belt in a year who are disappointed to learn that it takes three to five.

     Most of these people leave the dojo because their expectations have not been met. I never expected to be a star. I never expected to learn to fight, though I hoped to learn how to defend myself. And I never expected to earn a black belt.

     Each week as I attended classes, I realized that I always felt better after class than I did before. That was enough to make me keep coming back. Eventually, it became clear to me that I enjoyed the classes, the workouts, the discipline, the camaraderie. I realized I felt stimulated both physically and psychologically, that I loved my classes and the martial arts. Over time, I progressed and learned. Luckily, because I did not have great expectations, I was able to unfold, to develop, to blossom.

     This is not just true of me and my karate experiences. It is a valuable lesson in general. When you begin something new, evaluate your reasons for starting. If those “reasons” include too many expectations — which are really unstated assumptions about what will occur — then you are bound to be disappointed.

     Work on developing “ Beginner’s Mind.” Soak up information and experiences. You don’t have to be uncritical — just leave unfounded expectations at the door.