Talon Lamb

My Tae Kwon Do ExperienceTalon LambJung’s Tae Kwon Do, Tama BranchTemporary black belt testJune 9th, 2012  My Tae Kwon Do JourneyWhen I first joined Tae Kwon Do I did so because my friends and mother joined. As a white belt I mostly remember learning Chon-Ji. As a white belt Tae Kwon Do seemed to be getting dull since I learned only two forms continuously but this was to be one of the most important reasons that would benefit me gratefully later on.As my yellow and orange belts came, I thought it was getting more interesting and started learning my definitions. I’d like to say that my green and blue belts were the turning point in my journey for Tae Kwon Do. I learned more about the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do: Be courteous by being polite to others. Show integrity by always tell the truth. Show perseverance by never let anything stand between you and success. Demonstrate self-control by controlling your actions. Finally, and most important to me, is indomitable spirit, give it the full 200% at everything and never let people overcome your will. During this time I was able to do a good flying sidekick. I wasn’t as good as I was now but I put in the time and effort to learn it. This is one of the reasons I think indomitable spirit is most important. With this in mind, I continued and trained harder than ever.Finally the big day I was made a brown belt. I silently congratulated myself but I knew my journey was still far from over. As I got more in depth with the 5 Theories of Power my Tae Kwon Do forms were significantly better. Teaching was another job for us to do. As I taught I became nervous because sometimes I would think I would be teaching the wrong moves but thanks to my instructor, Mrs. Knock, other black belts, and my fellow brown belts in the end I taught confidently.Black belt class also helped very much with learning which forms are being changed, working on hand and foot techniques, and of course having fun. I have reflected my journey as something unique. Some of my friends left but I continued to stay. I wanted to keep in mind of the 5 tenets in my head and achieve my goal of becoming a black belt. As I continued going through more tests I started to become more relaxed but still had the anxious feeling. As I passed my last test to become 1st permanent I realized how close I was at becoming a black belt. I looked around and saw how far some of the students I had taught were becoming blue and even brown belts. 4 years of dedication, sweat, and even some blood. I started thinking “What if it doesn’t stop there?” Since I became a brown belt it was just black belt and then I’m finished. I am still wondering though if I could become possibly a 5th Dan if I continued. Nevertheless, Tae Kwon Do has taught me to give it everything I got, and if someone says you can’t do it prove them wrong.