Black Belt Essay

by Zachary Wallerich, age 10

 

     I am proud to write this essay, because it is a chance for me to remember all the lessons and experiences I've gone through over the last 2 1/2 years at Kim's Martial Arts Academy.  It has been a long hard effort, but one that has been full of challenges and things to learn.  I didn't know that learning Martial Arts involved so much knowledge too.  I guess that's why they call it an Art.

     My dad suggested I give Martial Arts a try, and that I might enjoy it.  He took me to meet Master Kim and Mrs. Kim, and I felt there was something special about them.  I went to the Academy  not really knowing what Martial Arts was all about.  It looked interesting, and I wanted to learn how to defend my self, so I decided to give it a try.  Then I found out about the Black Belt Club.  I wasn't sure what it would take to get a Black Belt.  I was told that to be a member of the Black Belt Club, I had to commit to do whatever it took to get my Black Belt.  I wasn't sure I could do it, but I agreed to try.  I'm glad I did.

     My first lesson was kind of scary, but at the same time it was fun.  After a while, I realized that I could actually do this, and I even liked it.  It was hard work, but I like it.  This was a lesson in itself.  It taught me that even though things look like they're impossible to do, if you try, and try hard, you can do it.  I tried, and discovered that I could do it.  But I didn't do it all on my own.  Master Kim showed me how.  He not only showed me how, he made me want to learn more, and he encouraged me to do more than I thought I could.  He was right.

     One important thing I learned from Master Kim is that Tae Kwon Do is not just about being able to defend yourself, it is about discipline, and honor.  One day in class, a student hit another student out of anger.  Master Kim became very upset and stopped the class.  He spent the rest of the class telling all the students that we are like brother and sister, and that we should always support each other.  Hitting out of anger is wrong, and is even worse when you hit another Tae Kwon Do student.  Master Kim always tries to teach us respect for other people and how to use Tae Kwon Do in a positive way.  The values of Master Kim and Tae Kwon Do are something I will remember the rest of my life.  He is a Grand Master because he is both strong physically and mentally.

     Part of learning about Tae Kwon Do is to learn about the Korean culture.  Tae Kwon Do is a Korean Martial Art. One of the first lessons Master Kim taught was to respect my elders, sisters, brothers, and teacher.  But the most important lesson Master has taught us is to respect ourselves.  That must come first.  This has been a really valuable part of knowing Master Kim.  Tae Kwon Do has taught me self-respect, and I will never forget it.

     Master encouraged me to compete in two different tournaments.  I was scared, but didn't tell anyone.  I did my best, but didn't win my contest.  I'm glad I tried, and learned a lot about Tae Kwon Do competition.  I also met a lot of nice people.  I also learned that even though I lost my competition, I still got something out of it.  I learned that I could compete. I almost won too!

     As my belt level increased, I started to feel like I had a real ability to do more than I thought I could.  I looked at higher belts and they seemed so good, I wasn't sure I could ever get that far.  Between learning from the Master, and from the help of the upper belts, I learned to believe in myself.  As a Yellow Belt, I learned the value of helping the new White Belt students, which made me feel good too.  It's funny, but as I taught other students, I ended up learning too.  I didn't expect that.  It made me feel proud, and I realized how much I was learning.

   When I hit the middle belt range, I started to really focus myself, and to try and be the best I could be.  It was tough, and the lessons got harder, but I saw myself get better as I worker harder.  I noticed that the techniques for each belt were getting more complex and harder to memorize.  My biggest fear was that if I did well, I might start moving up to belts that were too hard for me.  Even though I was learning, I was looking at what was ahead for me, and I got worried.  I found I had no need to worry.  I really wanted to improve myself, and I had Master Kim there to help me.

     As I began to move into the upper belts, I was afraid I couldn't do well enough and that I would have to drop down to lower belts.  Again, I found out that sometimes things look harder than they really turn out to be.  It was as though each new level was getting a little bit too high too fast.  From now on, I was going to work harder.  The things I had to do for the next levels were getting a lot harder.  Fortunately, my friends helped me a lot.  That's how I got to know my form, and made friends at the same time.

     Finally, I hit a level I never thought I would reach.  Black Belt now seemed like a real possibility.  It was something I could actually do.  Now was the time to work on every subject I could.  Of course, Eddie was with me the whole time.  I also taught many other students.  When I looked how far I had gotten, I was amazed at all I had gone through.

     Right now I am a junior Black Belt.  As I think about what it will be like to have a Black Belt, I realize that I will be one for the rest of my life.  That's a long time.  I also realize what a responsibility it is to hold a Black Belt.  I will be representing all the other Black Belts and their honor.  It is quite a responsibility, but that's what I have worked so hard for, and that's what Master has worked so hard to teach me.  It's another challenge that seemed impossible, and now it is in my sights.  I know now, that if I don't give up, and if I remember what Master taught me, I can do it. I will do it.

     None of my achievements would be possible without Master Kim.  His patience, understanding, and hard work inspired me to become the best I can be.  I'm not sure I will ever be as good as Master Kim, but to know that it is possible, is enough to make me want to try.  I've not only learned Martial Arts from Master Kim, I've learned how to believe in myself.  He has changed my life in so many ways.  I know more about my self and my abilities than I did before I met Master Kim, and I realize that most of what I think are limits are just that: thoughts.  If I believe I am limited, then I am.  If I believe I can achieve, then I can!

     One of the seven home rules is to respect your parents, brothers, sisters, teachers and elders.  I realize what my parents went through to help me get my Black Belt, and how much I respect them for sticking with me this long.  It makes me also realize that I couldn't do this on my own.  I needed other people to help me.  I am a very lucky person to have such a wonderful Mom and Dad, and to have the best Tae Kwon Do Master ever, Master Kim.

     I will never forget what I have learned here, and will do everything I can to live me life using what Master has taught me.  Tae Kwon Do will be a part of me for the rest of my life.  I will always try to live by the lessons I have learned from Master Kim.  Thank you Master Kim, and thank you Mrs. Kim for all your hard work, your patience, and your support.  I look forward to continuing with Black Belt training.  Maybe some day I will be a Tae Kwon Do Master too.