What Tae Kwon Do Means To Me
Five
years ago my son (Mr. Logan Shonka) started Tae Kwon Do under Master Sledge.
After class I would pick him up and we would talk about how class went, what he
had learned and what he needed to work on. The only problem was that I couldn’t
help him with much being that I didn’t know anything about it myself. Mr.
Shonka had mentioned several times that it would be fun if I did Tae Kwon Do
with him but I felt I would not have the time. Finally during his brown belt
test I decided that I needed to quit making excuses why I couldn’t do Tae Kwon
Do and think of a way to make it work. My
first class was December 27, 2007 and my only regret was not starting earlier. I
found out quick how out of shape I was but always felt great after a hard
class. But, the best thing about Tae Kwon Do is that it brought my son and me
closer together. As I come up through
the ranks I got to know Mr. and Mrs. Master Wells and was very impressed with
them and Martial Arts America. They are as straight forward and honest as you
will find which is becoming rare in today’s world. I also have met most of the other black belts
and feel they are all quality people that share the same values as me. In a way
Martial Arts America is like another family. The reason I bring this up is
because to me Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts America is about family values and
the five tenants of Tae Kwon Do, (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self
Control, in dominant able Spirit). I spent several years in the Marine Corps.
The Marine Corps was founded on discipline, hard work, vigorous training and
looking out for one another.
The training is completely
different but the principals are basically the same. There was a saying when I
was in the Marine Corps “The more you sweat in peacetime the less you bleed in
war”. I feel the same when I come to a class. The harder I work in class the
more affective I would be if I had to use it in a real life situation. This is
a way I feel I can contribute at class. If I give one hundred percent all
class, maybe that will help motivate the people around me.
I
want to give a special thanks to Master Sledge who has played a huge roll in
preparing me for my black belt test. He always made time during and after class
for all students. He is as dedicated to Tae Kwon Do as anyone I have seen and
is well respected in the Do Jang as an instructor and as a person. I also want
to thank Mr. and Mrs. Master Wells for their dedication to all the students.
They are leaders in the Tae Kwon Do community and their dedication is unmatched
anywhere. In my opinion there are two types of leaders, those who lead from the
front and those who lead from the rear and they definitely lead from the front.
I respect that because it is becoming more common for people to lead from the
rear now days. I also want to thank my family for their support and thank Mr.
Shonka for motivating me to start and work towards my black belt. I don’t want
to mention anymore names for fear of leaving someone out but want to thank the rest
of the black belts for all of their help along the way. I would also like to
thank the brown belts I am testing with for there help and motivation. Many
have taken the time to work with me during and after class. It makes you feel
good to come to class and be around people that are generous with their time
and knowledge.
I don’t know what the future will
bring but I will to continue to come to class and refine my skills. I know
there is much more to learn and I like to pass my knowledge onto junior belts whenever
possible. As a black belt I will lead by example and show others that it is not
the ‘black belt’ that is important but the person wearing it, as the other
black belts do. I will continue to give one hundred percent and contribute any
way I can. I don’t know if I will ever be able to start a branch class down the
line but I will always help teach the junior belts. Again, I want to thank
everyone for all of your support, time and effort helping me prepare for my
temporary black belt test.
