Why
Train?
- Taekwondo as a way of
life.
If I ask this question to ten different
students, I’m liable to get ten different, and equally
valid answers. Some people do it because they are just there
for a workout, some like to kick and punch, some love the feel
of competition, and some just want to believe in themselves.
Some are even in it because their parents made them in an attempt
to get more discipline at home. Taekwondo is many things to
many people, and there is nothing wrong with this. In fact,
this is part of the reason why Taekwondo appeals to so many
people.
However, if you talk to the more seasoned
students, the high ranking black belts, they often have a different
and slightly more consistent idea of what Taekwondo is and why
they practice it. The “Do” in Taekwondo stands for
an Art, or a Way. Taekwondo truly is a way of life. I’d
like to share something that Jon Baker wrote in his black belt
essay when questioned about his ultimate goal for Taekwondo.
He said :
"My ultimate goal in Taekwondo is to be able to look back
on a life filled with improvement, without regrets of opportunities
lost or challenges I never had the guts to face."
Notice that he makes no mention in his ultimate goals of kicking
or punching powers, of winning gold medals, or even of defending
himself or his family. Certainly, those things may be included
in his life, but the central point is that he will constantly
be improving. Too often fear holds us back in life. Life is
hard enough when just dealing with external obstacles, adding
internal ones as well can prove the final blow. However, Jon
has realized that with his Taekwondo training, he will be able
to transform his whole life. I’ve always stated that our
goal of Taekwondo training is “to become better people.”
Once you’ve experienced the power of Taekwondo to change
your life for the better, it becomes part of what you do every
day. Then, Taekwondo truly becomes as it was intended- a way
of life.
See Previous Articles
Thoughts on Kristy Cutright
Competition
Philosophy
