I
have been attending taekwondo classes since I was 4 years old. Some may think
that by having such a long experience in martial arts I am able to execute
every block, strike and kick correctly, though this is not true.I am very proud about my flexibility. Being
flexible has not only helped me in karate at a physical level but also in
school at an academic level.I am able
to flex my mind, as well as my body, and come up with many interesting and
unique ideas. For example I have a wanted to do a backbend since I was 9, I
used to try it every day but would land flat on my head every time I tried.
Since I learned how to keep persevering and staying determined in karate, when
I was 11, I suddenly, one day just bent over and executed the bend perfectly. I
was very excited and relieved that I finally got the technique, though not
knowing I also got more self-confidence in myself. A backbend may seem like a
small thing but it made a great impact on me.
Once
more of this self-confidence started to soak in-when I joined a baseball team
where I was one of the only two girls. I was reluctant at first to join but
then I remembered how in karate we are trained to work with others, even though
you may not want to at first and also how you can get a great experience from
every partner your with, the experience might just be different according to
that person. So I took that information and all my energy and walked onto the
field. In fact, I was to be the pitcher a position I had never tried before.
Our whole team practiced very hard and we never gave up. By the end of the
season I was a very good pitcher and batter and won the respect of all the boys
on the team.
I
am also proud about my power that I have learned in karate. When I started
karate I didn’t have much power but as the classes started to get more intense
and serious I became more focused and potent. Just like in school, you may be
weak on one subject/area but in time, after studying hard and focusing on your
weaknesses you are able to balance yourself out. Now that I have been trying to
be more intense and powerful it has made my high kick look even better, power
is able to it that extra “oomph.”
I
have learned many lessons from karate such as being responsible, respectful and
cooperative. Prior to getting my wonderful puppy Lupita, I was to show my
parents that I was responsible enough to take care of a dog. Doing little deeds
throughout the house and things helped me score many point. But as I look back
I noticed that without my early development of responsibility in karate it
might have taken me a bit longer to become mature and responsible. Though being
responsible comes with work. You have to pay attention by remembering things
you need to do, such as homework or remembering to study for a test. Then I
noticed at school it helps to be responsible. You are able to get more
organized and with being more organized you get better grades.
Karate
has also taught me to be more respectful and to listen to the instructor and to
have good etiquette. Such as in school, I am able to listen to my teachers and
to all their assignments that they assign us. By listening I don’t miss any
important news that others might be missing if they weren’t listening. I am
also respectful to others and in return I get respect from my peers and elders.
One of the most important things I have learned in karate is to cooperate with
others. I have found that as I move up in school I have to work with
groups/others. From having many different partners in karate I am able to
relate to that scenario and collaborate better with my peers. Since I am able
to cooperate well, not as much time is wasted over silly things such as arguing
over something. I take my partners’ ideas and try to apply them with my own in
the end the project comes out excellent because two brains are always better
than one.
One
special experience where I had to use these qualities that I learned in karate
was when I met this girl at a camp who everyone else teased because of her
mental illness. I felt bad after hearing the kids say horrible comments towards
her and I decided to “take the road less traveled.” I went over and talked with
her and asked her how her day was and just small things like that until I felt
she was at ease and had forgotten those rude remarks. After that day for the
next two weeks I invited her to sit with me at lunch and suddenly one day she
comes up to me and gives me a nice friendly hug and told me I was her best
friend. I felt like I had just reached the top of Mt. Everest, though it was a
minor thing I felt like I had really made a difference in her life, even though
it might have been the slightest thing. From that day on I was glad that karate
had taught me so many great things, and after all, the work pays off.
Now
that I have become more aware of my surroundings I can tell who is a DCSDKA
student and who isn’t, from a mile away. And after so many years I have learned
to always be optimistic and not to look at the negative things and to be
patient with others. Because all of these things karate has taught me many
teachers come to me and ask me to help others students who are a little behind
and to be a role model. I feel also being a leader has helped me in my social
life. I have many friends who respect me and whom I respect. Karate has made me
a well-rounded person and I feel that without karate’s training I wouldn’t be
the same person I am today. So for all those reasons I am proud to be a martial
artist and I hope to keep succeeding in this wonderful art.
