August 10, 2013
Learning
Going through what has happened with me losing the family farm of many generations and my brother horses to breaking my leg and buying my home I have learned a lot. Looking back at what I have learned and what it all reminds me of. Starting from when I was a white belt and seeing what I have learned up to now has helped me out a lot.
White Belt I learned to breath, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. In with the good and out with the bad. That taught me to handle any mental or physical pain; from breaking my leg, to losing the farm, and losing my horses. The form Chon-Ji helped me block out these pains coming from all directions that came high and low and then pushing on through in all directions.
With Yellow Belt I learned to see the target, like a light at the end of the tunnel, pushing towards it and getting out of a rut with depression. It reminded me of turning my head to see the target for doing a reverse kick or turning your head the correct direction to do a Sudo Maki in the first move of Dan-Gun.
Orange Belt taught and reminds me to never give up. That I wanted to get back in to Tae Kwon Do after being out for about ten years because I wanted to get back where I left off. Do-San reminded me to learn more as well, like Ahn Chang Ho devoting his life to the education of Korea.
Green Belt ranks taught me and reminded me of balance as in WonHyo with ready stance A to weigh the good from the bad. This is where I realized that an indominatable spirit is essential to always keep a positive attitude and find the good in all things. After having lost the family farm and was forced to find a new home and finding a new home for my horses. Now I am a home owner and it feels good. Knowing my horses have a good home I feel good there as well. Just like a flower needs sun on a sunny day and rain on a cloudy day.
Blue Belt ranks taught me and reminded me to be patient not to push things and letting the good things come in time. When I was a Blue Belt I had to patiently heal after I broke my leg and not push myself so I would not aggravate any injury and make it worse. Also I had to patiently learn a new form in time, giving a better time to learn the form with the instructor.
Brown Belt ranks taught and reminded me to push harder, work harder, and sweat more. That things will come harder and not get any easier. With recovering and coming back after my broken leg I had to work harder for balance and push past any pain.
Temporary Black Belt taught me to combine all that I have learned. That I am going to have to constantly relearn everything with humility, setting an example, and helping others the same way I have learned.
I learned that when getting burned out you need to take a step back and look at the big picture and take a break a little bit. I have also learned to have fun, enjoy life, and relax because things will always get better.
One more thing with what Chon-Ji feels like to me. After blocking all
the bad things of this world high and low in all directions and pushing
towards heaven. The two punches forward and the two punches back feel like a celebration that I am still moving forward with life with a long journey ahead of me of learning, practicing, teaching, growing, and that Tae Kwon Do is helping me handle things in life and to be a better person with the five Tenets; Courtesy to be kind to others, Integrity to be honest and true to others, Perseverance to never give up, Self-Control to hold myself back from any wrong doing, and Indomitable Spirit to always keep a positive attitude.
Thank You All, James Jenness
