Northeast Iowa Branch
February 8, 2014
What Tae Kwon Do Means to Me
For me Tae Kwon Do means much more than a martial art. Tae Kwon Do has become a way of
life. Tae Kwon Do has given me strength, confidence, and stability. Because of Tae Kwon Do I have become a better person inside and out. Whenever something goes wrong in your life or you just have a bad day, all the negativity seems to wash away when you enter the dojang. I feel I have learned a lot about myself and others because of Tae Kwon Do.
When you talk about your Tae Kwon Do family that is truly what it is I have been involved in other groups and organizations and nothing seems to compare to your Tae Kwon Do family. The comradery and the respect you get ceases to amaze me. Whether you’re at testing, a tournament, or in the dojang there always seems to be someone who is always willing to step in and help you out.
I feel very fortunate to be part of Jung’s Tae Kwon Do. Ever since I joined the Garnavillo Branch along with my wife and two daughters, we were always made to feel welcomed. I know how lucky we are to have Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kuhse as instructors. The knowledge and skills that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kuhse bring into the dojang are exceptional. Not only do you get great leadership but you also get a history lesson. I enjoy the stories and the history that Mr. Johnson shares with us about Grandmaster Jung and Mr. Johnson’s own personal experiences. For me this is an added bonus you get from Tae Kwon Do.
The friendships I have made because of Tae Kwon Do are for life. There seems to be a special bond you have with fellow students and instructors. We all feel each other’s accomplishments and pain. We encourage each other no matter what obstacle stands in our way. A good friend of mine is an assistant instructor and he has seen both my pain and my accomplishments. This friend has stood by me from the beginning and has never given up on me or any other student.
This is the leadership I feel keeps Tae Kwon Do alive. Another good friend of mine recently
underwent knee surgery, and has had to take a leave from Tae Kwon Do for a couple of months,
and I literally can feel his pain as he is recovering. I know his excitement as he sees his fellow students working hard to get to the next level in hopes to get back into the dojang soon to join them. This is the Tae Kwon Do bond we have.
Tae Kwon Do for me has changed my life, not only my family life, but the career path I have taken. I truly believe if you follow the five tenants of Tae Kwon Do that you have also made Tae Kwon Do a way of life. For my family and I there are not many days that go by where we don’t discuss some event that has taken place at Tae Kwon Do. Whether it’s quizzing each other on terminology, working on forms, or just enjoying the history of Tae Kwon Do, it has become a part of who we are. There is no better feeling than seeing your family in the dojang enjoying something you love.
