When our Grandmaster speaks he constantly reinforces that martial arts are for life. That we may be kicking, punching, blocking, rolling, throwing, sweeping, holding and pulling, but what we are really doing is enhancing our own lives and the lives of everyone we know.
We are utilizing the knowledge we gain to enhance our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual selves. We are developing our physical bodies to use in and outside of the dojang. We are building relationships that will help us uncover our own true hearts and that will support us through the highs and lows of training and life.
Simply, our daily training goal should be to do Taekwondo tomorrow as well as today. Listen to and respect what your body tells you and internalize the entwined lessons of humility, perseverance, modesty and self control.
Broadly, our training goal should be to do Taekwondo for our whole life. Not just until we die, but also to become a better human being every step of the way. To contribute in a positive way to all our rolls in life.
Tae Kwon Do, the way of kicking and punching, is primarily about the way. Grandmaster Park also defines it as “the Life Road”.
Through your entire journey stay mindful of the fact that whether you are in a period of incremental growth or are leaping forward along your path, you are still making progress along your life road.
Taking on Thomas Edison’s way of thinking, you can see where what you learn in Taekwondo can take you. He said, when asked about all of his attempts at inventing the light bulb, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that it won't work.” Let your failures and your successes be woven into the fabric of you. Celebrate and own every stitch of your existence. Develop your “Do” through a lifetime practice of Tae Kwon Do.
from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky
