Similar to other martial art traditions, capoeira has a ranking system that is color-coded. Instead of using belts, we use cordas (cords or rope). With the first group that I trained capoeira, we used undyed rope as our cordas. As capoeiristas advanced, the rope was dyed to reflect the skill level.
With the group I train with now, the cordas are braided using several strands of yarn, which are divided into four equal parts. I must admit, I originally thought that I’d have no problem picking up the technique since I know how to braid hair. Ha! That may have caused me more trouble. During our corda-making workshop, I undid my pitiful-looking corda, which reminded me of the picture in my high school Biology book of how badly a spider spins a web when on cocaine. The other capoeiristas eventually got the hang of it and advanced.
I didn’t mind being the slow kid in class since I’ve had other successes in life and realistically knew that I wasn’t going to catch on to every new skill quickly. As a matter of fact, right beside me, was the whiz kid of corda-making and he completed one and a half cordas by the end of the night to my one fourth of a corda.
The best part of the workshop for me was when the capoeirista who was teaching us sat down beside me and had me mimick exactly what she did. Turned out, I was making it more complicated than it needed to be. I took my unfinished corda home with the promise of completing it. The ironic thing about the entire evening is that I had requested the workshop and turned out to be the least talented at it.
Here I go again, making another analogy between capoeira and life, but it’s one of the ways that I analyze my current situation. As I contemplate a change in career, I have taken an inventory of the skills that I have, but more importantly of the skills that I lack and want to acquire. I realize that any new career that I embrace, I have to start at the entry level. The trade off for me is the opportunity to learn a new set of skills. I may not catch on quickly, but with the right mentor to guide me, my desire to learn will see me through any learning curve.