Celebrating Small Wins
There’s a bell that hangs in the lobby of the Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield, MO.
It’s not large. It’s not flashy. If you didn’t know what it meant, you might walk right past it without giving it a second thought.
But for the people who sit in that waiting room… it means something.
That bell is there for one purpose:
To be rung at the completion of treatment.
It’s a moment. A pause. A declaration.
For some, it marks the end of a long and difficult journey. For others, it represents the closing of one chapter before the next begins.
Over time, it has become more than just a bell.
It’s a symbol of perseverance. Of endurance. Of showing up day after day, even when you don’t feel like it.
For me, getting to that bell wasn’t a single moment.
It was a process.
30 early mornings.
30 trips—about 2,700 miles
Day after day, week after week.
Some days were easier than others. Some days took more out of me than I expected.
There were moments of fatigue. Moments of frustration. Moments where it would have been easy to feel overwhelmed.
But through all of it, I never felt alone.
First and foremost, my faith carried me.
There’s no other way to say it.
From the very beginning, I believed—and still believe—that God is writing a story here. One that I may not fully understand yet, but one that I trust.
On the hard days, that faith gave me peace.
On the long days, it gave me strength.
And on the uncertain days, it reminded me that I wasn’t walking this path by myself.
And beyond that, we were surrounded by incredible people.
Friends who stepped in and volunteered to drive—giving us a break when we needed it most.
People who reached out with encouragement.
People who prayed for us.
People who showed up in ways that went far beyond anything we could have expected.
That kind of support humbles you.
It reminds you how blessed you really are.
And it makes you incredibly thankful for the people God has placed in your life.
Early on, as I sat in that waiting room, I noticed something that stuck with me.
I heard more than one person say:
“I’m not ringing that… I’m not done yet.”
And I understand that.
Because for many, the journey continues beyond that bell. There are more treatments ahead. More challenges. More uncertainty.
But something about that didn’t sit right with me.
Because something is done.
A phase has been completed. A challenge has been faced. A step forward has been taken.
And that matters.
At Championship Martial Arts, one of the life skills we teach is Goals.
Not just having a goal—but understanding how to reach one.
We ask our students to think about something they want to achieve.
Then we ask the more important question:
What are the steps it will take to get there?
Because goals don’t just happen.
They are built—step by step.
In martial arts, nobody walks in and becomes a black belt overnight.
There is a journey.
A progression.
A process.
Students start as white belts and move through a series of belts—each one representing growth, effort, and progress.
They learn new techniques.
They refine their skills.
They build confidence.
They overcome obstacles.
And here’s the key…
We don’t wait until black belt to celebrate.
Every time a student earns a new belt, we recognize it.
We hold a Belt Award Ceremony.
They receive a new belt—something they’ve worked hard to earn.
They are given a certificate to mark their achievement.
Families take pictures. There’s pride. There’s excitement. There’s momentum.
Not because they’re finished…
But because they’re moving forward.
Imagine if we told our students:
“Don’t celebrate anything until you reach black belt.”
How many would make it?
Not many.
Because the journey is hard.
Progress can feel slow.
And without recognizing the steps along the way, it becomes easy to lose motivation.
Celebration isn’t the end of the journey.
It’s what fuels you to keep going.
That’s what brought me back to that bell.
That moment.
That choice.
There’s an old line that says:
“Never ask for whom the bell tolls—it tolls for thee.”
A reminder that we are all connected… that every struggle, every challenge, every victory reaches farther than we realize.
Today… I rang the bell.
Today, the bell tolled for me.
Not because my journey is over.
It’s not.
I still have more treatments ahead. More challenges to face. More days where I’ll need to show up, stay focused, and keep moving forward. More days where I’ll need to lean on my faith—and the incredible friends and family around me—to help carry me through.
But today marks something important.
The successful completion of this stage.
And I refuse to ignore that.
And tonight… I get to step back onto the mat with my students.
We’ll train. We’ll push. And we’ll break boards.
Not just as a drill… but as a reminder.
That obstacles are meant to be broken.
That progress is earned.
And that every step forward—no matter how small—is a victory worth celebrating.
Because if there’s one thing martial arts has taught me—and one thing my faith continues to remind me—it’s this:
Every step forward is a gift.
Every step.
Every bit of progress.
Every day you get to keep going.
Ringing that bell wasn’t about declaring victory over the entire journey.
It was about recognizing a victory within it.
And giving thanks for the strength, the support, and the faith that made it possible.
Just like earning a yellow belt doesn’t mean you’re done.
Just like earning a green belt doesn’t mean you’ve arrived.
Just like even earning a black belt isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a new level of growth.
Each step is meaningful.
Each step is earned.
Each step deserves to be recognized.
So today, I chose to celebrate this step.
With gratitude.
With faith.
And with confidence in what still lies ahead.
And maybe that’s a lesson for all of us.
Whatever your goal is—whether it’s in martial arts, your career, your health, your family, or your personal life…
Don’t wait until the very end to acknowledge progress.
Don’t convince yourself that it “doesn’t count” because there’s still more to do.
Don’t overlook the blessings that helped get you there.
Set the goal.
Identify the steps.
Lean on your faith.
Appreciate the people who walk alongside you.
And when you complete one of those steps…
Celebrate it.
Because that celebration isn’t the finish line.
It’s what gives you the strength to take the next step.
In martial arts, we don’t skip from white belt to black belt.
We honor every step along the way.
Every belt.
Every milestone.
Every victory.
And today…
The bell tolled for me.
Building Champions in Life.
Comments
3 responses
Very well said. I appreciate your thoughts and keep moving towards the goals
I will say it again “ You should be a writer”!! You express yourself so well. Love your attitude and the New Mike that is evolving ❤️
Goal setting is important in every day life. I have practiced it all my life. Especially dealing with my own health issues. Some people never learn this important lesson in life. You have mastered it. I’m sure you learned this from early on in your life. Your parents taught you well. Your faith has carried you through some major issues. Being deployed to Iraq during Desert Storm, marriage, family, the passing of your parents, moving and now dealing with cancer. Having your faith is VERY important. RING that bell. Your family and friends are walking the path with you. Lean on us if you need to.
KTF.