Taekwondo isn't really something most kids take seriously at my school. They think just because I know it, I can beat anyone up. Obviously, the answer is no. I believe the less anyone knows you do taekwondo the better having everyone want you to beat people someone up for them. Since I was a white belt I always knew I've wanted to become a black belt, and the reasoning behind that is why I chose to continue, how it has changed me, and what goals I have for myself in the future.I don't have very many details on why I continue to do taekwondo, but I know that in between breaks of sport seasons, I need to go back to taekwondo to help me with my flexibility and for me to get back into shape. Taekwondo has helped me in sports like soccer and basketball when you're running all the time and when you need to learn to control your breathing. It's heavily impacted me positively in those sports when I need to process quickly in my brain about what play to use next and how it needs to be done correctly. Those instincts came to me from learning to use those short breaks of deep breathing or those times we do self-defense or one-step sparring at full speed. Because I don't have lots of reasoning on why I continue taekwondo, I know I want to participate still, even when I'm in college. Plus it's always fun to meet new people and have some fun sometimes with lower belts.
As I've gotten older, taekwondo has changed me to be a better person and has taught me lots of new things I probably would've never learned anywhere else. It has most importantly taught me nothing in life comes easy. You have to work hard to achieve your black belt. It takes dedication and motivation to keep coming back after a sore, aching work out. The big factor I pulled from that reminded me about the dedication and hard work my mom puts into us to make a better future for us. Taekwondo has showed me that every day, even if she's tired, she pushes herself to work hard at her job every single day. We are the ones that keep her motivated to work and all she wants is us to be the best we can in school and to do our chores even if we're tired after school and to just be the best kid we can be. So yes all those push ups and getting yelled at has built a strong foundation to making me a better person. Another important person that has helped me process life easier is Master Phillips. He's taught me that in life things won't always go as you planned, but you have to make the best of everything and that to control yourself and not boast so much in front of everyone. Everything I learn when I go to taekwondo has helped me mature, not at first, but after awhile it sinks into you and
Vanessa Baccam Saturday, December 14, 2013 2:57:20 AM Central Standard Time
helps you understand some situations better.
As of the age of thirteen, I have set some goals for myself in the future and most likely they'll change or somewhat be the same. Honestly my goals aren't going to relate to taekwondo, but one big goal of mine is to give myself an education and to go off to college and build myself a better future. Secondly, I would do taekwondo even when I'm in college to continue helping me in sports and everything in general. They're not a lot of goals, but they are my top important goals in life, and I'd be happy if I could achieve them later in the future.
During my times in taekwondo, I've learned a lot. I'm not very detailed about it, but after about three years, I've learned by being praised for doing good or being punished for doing bad. Life moves on, things change and taekwondo has deepened my understandings of continuing, help me mature, and help me set goals for the future.
