Embracing the Unknown

Many of us work hard to become good at what we do or what we are familiar with. Whether it is related to our career or certain hobbies, we continue to practice to improve and become better. However, can we say we have that same drive and determination for something we are not familiar with? When presented with a new hobby or task, how many times have we told ourselves or others that this is something that I would not be good at? We jump to a conclusion before we even try it out. We’ve created our own limitation to these different things before we even start.

I’ve learned from my mentor Dr. Tae Yun Kim to embrace new challenges and new things. This is where we truly learn about ourselves and our own capabilities. Most recently, I have thinking about my platform as a Black Belt Instructor at Jung SuWon Martial Arts Academy. I would have never thought I would have a platform where I work with younger students and motivate them and inspire them. I’ve become a positive influence in their lives by pushing them to train harder and overcome whatever challenges they are facing. This is coming from a person who barely graduated high school and took a semester of college. In my early 20’s, I had no direction of where I wanted to go in life. I was engulfed in drugs and alcohol and that is all I knew.

I’ve come to embrace my role as a Black Belt Instructor at Jung SuWon Martial Arts Academy. I have a rewarding feeling working with these students that can’t be obtained by any foreign substance. 6 years ago, this platform is something I would have never imagined was possible for me, but I’ve come to embrace it with a strong sense of responsibility.

Remembering Where We Came From

Everybody has a story of their journey along with the challenges and struggles they faced in their lives. People seem to want to remember all of the memories when they felt at their best and not when they felt suppressed or feeble. We call this selective memory, when we want to remember the times we were showcased at our best rather than embarrassed or at a low point. In fact, those events whether good or bad are what shapes people who they are today. My mistakes in the past helped shape the person I am today.

My mentor Dr. Tae Yun Kim taught me to never forget where I came from. Even as I am 6 years removed from overcoming my own personal vices and as I am building up my career, I constantly remind myself of the times I was addicted to drugs and gambling. I remind myself of when I turned my back on the people closest to me, my friends and family. Reminding myself of this keeps me in line and humbled. It reminds me I am not better than any person I become judgmental towards. It also helps me to keep fresh in my mind the dark places I don’t want ever want to go back to. And it reminds me to help others who are faced with those same challenges and struggles. It reminds me to strive to make a difference in other people’s lives and to help inspire them.

Even if I have painful memories in the past, I use this as a “fertilizer” in my life. I remind myself of these mistakes as something that I will learn and grow from. My mentor reminds me to “Rejoice in the lessons of pain and hurt. It gives me strength and it gives me freedom.” Don’t dwell on the mistakes we have made in the past. I’ve learned to learn from my mistakes and help others who are faced with similar challenges and circumstances overcome their own adversity.

 

 

Welcome to the New Year

2017 has arrived and people are starting to think about their New Year’s resolutions. This is a time to reflect on the previous year and also look forward to the New Year and how we plan to change.

As a student of Jung SuWon Martial Arts Academy, I am constantly training to be disciplined and focused. Even after 6 years of training, I can’t say that I am the most focused or disciplined individual, but it is something I continually work on. Jung SuWon isn’t about punching or kicking, but rather training the mind, spirit and emotional state. I’ve learned through training that these principles require constant practice. Through my training, I am able to apply these principles for my work and my relationships.

For the New Year, I plan to continue to train to become stronger physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, attributes I can work on while I am training at Jung SuWon Martial Arts Academy. I encourage everyone to find something they are interested in that provides a balance in your life and works on your holistic health.