December 14, 2013
Come to the edge, he said.
They said: we are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came.
He pushed them.
And they flew. — Apollinaire
I stand in front of my judges again one year and one week after earning my first Dan black belt. This year has gone by quickly and this test, which seemed so far away, is upon me. I am very nervous and excited to be on this floor and I am extremely proud to have my son Talon with me. His presence gives me the strength to stand here today and hopefully walk off the floor a 2nd Dan.
A lot of things have changed for me in Tae Kwon Do over the past year besides the strip on my belt. I have had the opportunity to work with many of the colored belts in our class to share my tae kwon do knowledge. I have the opportunity to teach them new forms and one steps, as well as showing proper stances, punches and kicks. Working with the younger belts allows me to continually work on my color belt form and hopefully make myself a better martial artist. I remind myself constantly that younger belts are looking up to me and my stance better be correct, my punch needs to be in the right place etc.
The Tama branch has several students testing today and I am happy to say I have had the chance to work with all of them. I hope I have given them enough encouragement and knowledge to get through their tests today. I firmly believe it is the responsibility of higher belts to help those below them. I have had a great deal of help from instructors, students and Master’s on my journey to a black belt.
As black belts, focus in class has shifted from training ourselves to helping train others. This of course takes away from our individual instruction in class. This means more Tae Kwon Do outside of the Do Jang working on higher forms on our own. I am very grateful to the higher ranked black belts at the Tama Branch who have helped me learn my new form before and after class. I have an amazing instructor who has taught me well. Mrs. Knock has not only given be the opportunity to learn Tae Kwon Do, but the chance to share my knowledge with others. She has taught me to share my time with others. Tae Kwon Do is not only from 4 to 5 on Mondays and Wednesdays, it is taking the time when necessary to help others. Without her support and encouragement, I could not be here today. She has given up a great deal of her personal time to work with me and I hope when I step out on the floor I make her as well as the Tama Branch proud. I am very happy to be a part of the Jung’s Tae Kwon Do family and hope to continue improving and helping others.
Come to the edge, he said.
They said: we are afraid.
Come to the edge, he said.
They came.
He pushed them.
And they flew. — Apollinaire
