The Jiu Jitsu Story Arc: A Black Belt's Perspective.

In a really 'good' TV series, there is an over arching theme commonly referred to as a 'story arc'. This  theme pervades the entire series regardless of individual stories and adventures that happen during its run on TV. As fate would have it, anything we put time and effort into has a 'stroy arc'.

What's Your story Arc?

You won't know it when you start. You may have a plan or a vision about your journey but your story arc is comprised of numerous  adventures that form an overall feeling in what you do. The arc is only revealed at the 'end' of the journey or each season. And REALLY good and complex stories may have numerous arcs attached to them.

White Belt Arc: Series 1-2

 In the beginning seasons of your adventure, you are introduced to the characters and their reason for being "here". The questions answered in these first couple years are: Who are you? What is your non-jiu jitsu background? Why did you start? What motivates you to train? Who is your instructor and school?

The episodes, while seemingly basic to a more experience audience, are extremely important and formative in your development. You encounter adversaries such as ego, fatigue, disappointment and frustration. You are also introduced to allies like family, leverage, wonderment, joy and confidence. By the end of this stage, the arc is shown how you've grown and stuck it out under extremely difficult circumstances. As you close in on blue belt and you've lost 40% of the people who started with you.

But, you made it and should be proud.
Arc: Against All Odds

Blue Belt Arc: Series 3-4

 If someone were to tune in to your show, they'd know the name of the main characters by now and get an understanding on how they work and interact with one another. At this stage, we see the development of heroes and villains. A few years into your adventure, we start to get a back story on what you do and what you are made of. There are a LOT of characters that die in this series as they are written off for various reasons. In fact, of the people that made it to this stage, only 30 % will survive to see Series 5 and beyond.

Because of other commitments, characters will quit or amicably fade away. Some will realize that the journey is really, really long and can't justify putting the time into it to see it to its completion. Some will become villains and betray their schools or make life decisions that will have them cast out.  The drama in this stage is weekly and always adding to sense of foreboding in the arc.

While there are wondrous and great adventures that happen- its this series that really forges a group together and shows YOU what you are made off.

Arc: Endurance against the Outside (inside) Enemy

Purple Belt Arc: Series 5-7
 This is where we see our favorite characters really move forward in their development. They are respected by the other characters and even the "NPC" (non player characters) in the show. They have shown grit and tenacity to get where they are. Their game is their own and their guidance is sought out by those junior to them.  They end up having numerous mini adventures outside the main arc which further adds to their development.

As a purple belt, you have gotten over the toughest stages so to speak and you know this is a marathon not a sprint. You buckle down and just keep showing up. As a purple belt, you are probably at your most tricky, using the latest and greatest weapons at your disposal. You are a sponge willing to soak up knowledge and learn quickly and are hard to kill off.

This series delves into the character of the purple belt and viewer really gets to see what makes them tick. Its a wonderful series and stage in the journey. Rarely, there will be a 2 part episode where a purple belt loses their way and the effects are felt among all the characters. Each character deals with it differently. The viewer relies on the main characters to keep everything grounded.

Arc: Intellectual, emotional and technical development

Brown Belt Arc: Series 8-10
If you've stuck with the series this long then you know what is involved in the journey. You've seen the best and worst in people. You know the inside jokes and the characters personalities. You've survived pretty much everything from injury to relationship problems to betrayal. But the one thing that won't change is your determination to succeed at the series goal-make it to black belt.

The enemies along the way are more sophisticated and manipulative at this stage. Old foes rear their heads and long dead problems come back to haunt you. Also, guest stars and old allies come to your aide. You may lose one major character in this series but its overall development is strong.

Arc: Advancement, sophistication and old foes and friends.

Black Belt Arc: Series 10+

You are 10+ years into your favorite show. The characters are close friends and steadfast. You look back at all the previous years and understand a greater importance. Loyalty and friendships forged are the real rewards here. You see a simplicity about Jiu Jitsu that wasn't there before. You are an old cowboy, space captain or king/queen that uses wisdom and patience along with cunning and guile to beat whatever comes your way.

The final episodes lead to promotion and and new positions. Some characters go off to start their own series and the rest, like the crew of the Star Trek Enterprise, ride off into the galaxy and continue what they have always done. Movies will be made of them and we gladly sit down and enjoy watching them again, realizing you've missed them, like a warm familiar blanket.

Over-All Arc:
The best way to be okay with the world is be okay with yourself. 
Be there for others. 
Be an example. 
BE YOU.