AIDAN HOLTHAUS — TEMPORARY BLACK BELT TEST

October 24, 2015

New Hampton Dojang

Temporary Black Belt

How Has Tae Kwon Do Changed My Life

Tae Kwon Do has changed my life because I have more confidence, self-control, and courtesy.  This made me stronger and I feel I can help other people with their confidence issues.  When I go to Tae Kwon Do I feel how much better like I can change the world to be a happier place.  As I kept moving up to the next belt I felt like my confidence, self control, and courtesy improved with every belt and now I am getting ready to test for my temporary black belt and it is time for me to improve the most.

How I got here has taken a lot of hard work.  I have learned that I have to give it a 110% all of the time.  What matters the most is studying and learning the forms and memorizing your terminology.  While free sparing you throw punches and kicks that you have to block.  Free sparing has taught me focus and watching.  If you don’t focus you could get kicked or hit.  That is like life.  If you don’t focus then you won’t finish what you have set out to do.  Don’t just give a 110% part of the time; give 110% all the time in all that you do.  I have learned I should always try my best on doing good stances and good forms when I am practicing or testing.  Don’t worry if you miss a step the first try, keeping trying until you get it right.  Practice has helped me to make my forms more perfect

I am also in sports and I know how hard it is to balance Tae Kwon Do class and sports practice. There are times when I have to miss Tae Kwon Do class for my sports practice.  When this happens I know that I need to practice on my own so I can continue to move hard.  Tae Kwon Do has helped me gain more focus and confidence in myself to be involved in more than one activity.  Confidence, self- control, and courtesy are important requirements in everything that I do.

Now that I am getting ready to test for my temporary black belt it feels like a few short months ago that I was starting off as a white belt.  My parents and I feel I have grown during this process.  Initially I was not strong, but Master Bendickson kept pushing me really hard and I thank her for pushing me really hard.  Every time I did not want to work Master Bendickson pushed me harder to focus and learn the new form.  Tae Kwon Do is really fun and I get to learn a lot of new things.  I have learned it is important to now all our stuff then it is easier in life and testing.  Once I have learned my forms or terminology I feel the form and the information flows freely.

Tae Kwon Do has changed my life because know I own the importance of practice and studying.  I feel my confidence has grown and I am in more control of my attitude and situations that I am placed in.  I am also more courteous when around others.  Tae Kwon Do has made me who I am today.