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At the risk of sounding clichéd, TaeKwon-Do to me is more than just a sport or hobby or pastime, but, rather, a way of life. It has consumed me more than family, friends, school, or any other sport I have ever played. As Grandmaster is fond of pointing out, when I first came to him, I was weak, insecure, selfish, dishonest, lazy, et cetera. In other words, a typical American teenager. However, in 2 years, with the help of Grandmaster Kang, I was transformed from that feeble child to a man. Not only have my physical abilities increased exponentially, but also I have adopted the Tenets of TaeKwon-Do into my everyday life. Self-Control, Patience, Indomitable Spirit, Humility, Loyalty, Conviction of Ultimate Victory, and Honesty are now an integral part of my being. In the 14 years before I started TaeKwon-Do, I played just about every sport possible in America. Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, track, skiing, and a few others. However, although I participated in all for several years, none of them really appealed to me. They were all so pointless and mundane. They were purely physical activities. I knew I wanted something more, but I didn’t know what, until I first came to TaeKwon-Do. Before I began TaeKwon-Do, I was routinely picked on and made fun of by other children, but now, although I have never threatened or had to use my skills, people respect me. They respect me simply on the reputation that martial arts practitioners have acquired.
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