Taekwon Do example essay topic

At the risk of sounding clich " ed, 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. Also, I have more friends now because my self-confidence level has increased dramatically and I am not embarrassed to speak my peace. Another way that TaeKwon-Do has helped me is physically.

TaeKwon-Do has increased my physical abilities immeasurably. Before, I was a very weak, frail boy, but now I am strong and healthy like never before. I used to get sick very frequently, but I haven't been seriously sick ever since I started training. I used to have allergies, but after only two years, they have all but disappeared, something that the doctor said would take five years, if at all. My knees and lower back used to be in pain regularly, but I haven't experienced these pains much at all since I started TaeKwon-Do. Also, just the way that training has conditioned my body and muscles has made me better in other physical activities.

For example, my balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, and so on. Besides, as with any strenuous exercise, I just feel better. Because the fat and toxins are washed out, I feel cleaner and breathe easier. Besides physically, TaeKwon-Do has also done wonders for me as a person.

As any serious student of Grandmaster knows, you can't just come in for class, and then leave TaeKwon-Do at the do jang. TaeKwon-Do is training for life. Just look at the most successful black belts. Chances are, they are also very successful in life, business, and their family life. My progress in TaeKwon-Do has been directly proportional to my success in other areas of life. Take, for example, my schoolwork.

Before I started martial arts, I was a poor student, to put it generously. I was lazy, never did my homework, never studied, and my grades were slowly falling every year. But then, after I had been training for a while, my grades started picking up again, even though I actually had less time to do schoolwork. My grades this year are the best they have been since fourth grade. This is because Grandmaster has instilled in me discipline, patience, and the openness to learn. Before, I would rarely pay attention in class, mainly because I got bored or distracted easily, and this hurt me tremendously.

But now I have no trouble listening to and participating in a lesson. I attribute this wholly to Grandmaster Kang and his strict Korean disciplines. Self-control is probably the most important attribute I have gained. The interesting thing about self-control is that it is taught in very few other sports or activities outside of the martial arts. Which is odd, considering it is probably the most important quality one can have in life. The self-control that I have learned through TaeKwon-Do has enabled me to be the master of my body and mind, rather than allowing greed, envy, sloth, or anger to take over.

If I want to stay home one day instead of coming to class, self-control gives me the power to make the right choice. Self-control gives me the power to avoid a fight or resolve a dangerous situation, rather than allowing fury or hatred to get the better part of me. TaeKwon-Do has given me this power, more than anything else in my life. Another thing I learned from TaeKwon-Do is conviction of ultimate victory. Conviction of ultimate victory is something I never possessed until TaeKwon-Do instilled it in me. Before, I was never discontent with a job poorly done or giving something fifty percent, but now I always try to do things to the best of my abilities, whatever they may be.

In the end though, the thing that has most benefited me is my newfound self-confidence. My confidence has been the single greatest source of change for me. Before, I was pretty meek, never sticking up for myself and letting myself be pushed around. Knowing that I have the ability to maim or kill somebody with a single blow is a great confidence booster. In conclusion, TaeKwon-Do is easily the greatest, most positive thing that has ever happened in my life.

It has done more for me in two years than anything else could even come close to. Indeed, the thing I least want to leave behind when I go to college is the great supporting family environment that Kang's has given me. TaeKwon-Do at Kang's has changed my life, all for the better.