Brad Barnhart
Temporary Black Belt
June 1, 2013 Test
Tae Kwon
do to me is that it is educational, exciting, fun, friendly, enduring, and a
great family activity. When I was in school I didn’t want to join any sports,
really don’t know why but one night I was in Manchester, Iowa and seen some Tae
Kwon do students going into class. I didn’t know what they did in class but I
wanted to learn how to do the things I seen people do on T.V. so I joined up, I
am very glad I did I loved it the first night. I got as far as my orange belt
then I had to quit do to some transportation problems. I was really upset but I
told myself I would join back up when I could drive because I started in 1985
and I was only 11. But a friend of the family talked to me about Tae Kwon do and
he decide to join, so I rode with him. I reviewed my white, yellow, and orange
belt stuff to test for my green belt, I stayed in Tae Kwon do until I got to my
first permanent brown belt and had to quit again do to some school problems and
I took a second shift job.
I am very proud of my rank in Tae Kwon do and
I always had my belts hanging on the wall. When my kids asked me what my belts
were, how did I get them, what is Tae Kwon do, and if they could join up. I
thought it would be a great thing to do as a family, and I always wanted to
join back up to become a black belt. Now my 4 kids and I take Tae Kwon do from
Master Bob McDowell in Edgewood, Iowa. I have had and always will have a close
relationship with my kids but I think this will make us even closer. When my
kids get their new belts or when they break a board the look on their face of
achievement and excitement is priceless, I am thankful that my family can join
and be a part of what I call my Tae Kwon do family.
When I was
in school they asked us what we wanted to have for a career, I was going to be
a police officer. So I took typing, computer, and other classes I thought I
would need in my career, and putting down on my resume that I was in Tae Kwon
do would be a great thing. Due to the self-defense training and that we
practice the tenets of Tae Kwon do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance,
Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. But I took a job after high school and
never took the time to go to college and follow that career. My plans for the
future are to remain in Tae Kwon do and to continue my training and to help
others including my kids to reach the level they desire in this martial art.
They
say everything changes over time, but I have to say nothing changed in Tae Kwon
do over the last 30 years I have been involved in it. Which I think is a great
thing because why change a wonderful thing like Tae Kwon do. You get to learn
and study a new language and a way of life, and you get to meet a lot of new
people. Now when I become a black belt I can cross that off my bucket list.
