Weakness or Strenght

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Weakness or Strength?

by: Author Unknown, Bits & Pieces, August 15, 1996, Economic Press

Inc

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength.

Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to

study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a

devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was

doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three 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 deftly 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

boy 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, his opponent made a critical mistake:

he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him.

The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

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 was really

on his mind.

" 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 grap

your left arm. "

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