MARY FERDEN — TEMPORARY BLACK BELT TEST

October 24, 2015

Main Dojang

Temporary Black Belt

My name is Mary Ferden and i want to talk about my TKD journey and how it’s affected the past two and a half years of my life.

Most people know that i started TKD because I was bullied at school and I wanted to become a better person from that situation.

In the past two and a half years, I’ve learned a lot of things by some of my favorite people in the world here at this dojang. I’ve also made great friends, and met my boyfriend, an 8 year olr blue belt named Ely.

Being in TKD for what feels like forever, a good forever though, I learned to fight through the hardest parts of my life.

I’ve really grown to gain a better understanding of the fine tenets of TKD. The tenets definitely have served as a guide for me to improve both my attitude and behavior in the dojangs, at school, and at home.
TKD taught me how to keep my cool, most of the time.
TKD taught me important life lessons.
TKD taught me how to defend myself.
TKD taught me how to be a better and stronger person.
TKD taught me to be a more caring individual, to always do the right thing even when it’s hard to do, and may not be what I want;
to keep going when disaster strikes;
to be patient, and consider my actions with a higher level of awareness.
TKD gives me the raw strength and energy to look beyond today’s challenges to a better tomorrow.

Just as I have served as a student, to work hard and learn the tenets, I know there will come a day where these tenets will actually serve me, as tools I will use to allow me to achieve a higher level of performance in my career. By doing so I’ll be able to serve my community better.

It has occurred to me that one cannot visually see the tenets. But make no mistake, the tenets can be displayed by a person’s conduct and actions, and therefore, get transformed into impressions in the minds of people around you.
I will have many choices to make in life.
I think if I’m grounded to such beliefs, I will be able to make better choices with things in daily living, as well as setting future goals.

I am growing in mental toughness. Many times, when I have felt exhausted and couldn’t bare to do another kick, Grand Master Jung pushed and demanded that I do more. He literally beat the poop outta me with the stick in the corner, but I knew it was for my own good.
I learned that I can do more,
and I cannot let my brain set false limits for me. I learned I must push beyond the limits to achieve a higher meaning for my life.

All the masters, Master Bruner, Master Huff, Master Phillips, and Grand Master Jung have played a huge role in my life. I have a tremendous amount of respect for each of you. I find strength in you. When thing get difficult, I know that i can count on you for support.
Even when you are not physically present, please know that just knowing you, and knowing that you believe in me, helps me get through those tough situations.

I feel very privileged to be part of the TKD family at Jung’s TKD. It is an amazing feeling to know that I’m part of a world wide community through my ties with TKD. It allows me to feel more connected in the world. The world is shrinking as technology advances. Technology allows the expansion of relationships among people who would otherwise not know each other. This will give way to unification.
Unification to promote goodwill to people from different walks of life.
Ultimately, I believe that is the true purpose of TKD.
I can now appreciate the reason behind one mans life long hard work, energy, and endless passion to teach TKD. That man, of course, is Grand Master Jung. His legacy will continue to serve to uplift people anywhere in the world, and I am forever grateful to be a part of it.