I started karate almost three years ago exactly. And for my first few weeks in class, I absolutely abhorred it! I did not like not knowing what was going on. I did not like feeling lost. And most of all, I did not like the fact that people who were younger than me knew what they were doing and what was being talked about, whereas I knew nothing. I cried and cried to my mom, begging her to not make me proceed with karate classes. Alas, she remained firm and unmoving in her verdict: We would continue to take karate until she decided otherwise. And now, I am eternally grateful to both my mother and her firmness in her decision.
Throughout my karate career, I experienced various leadership roles. Some leadership roles I encountered include leading stretching; teaching the class as a whole, and teaching students individually; giving opinions and ideas in meetings; and more recently, coaching. I learned some important life lessons through my leadership roles. I learned to be decisive and make up my mind quickly, but not rashly. I learned to be firm in those decisions.
The first time I ever led class, was as a blue belt. I was extremely surprised when I was told I would be leading stretches! I kind of turned around and looked behind me to make sure Mr. McCall was pointing to me. After we bowed in and the class was handed over to me, my mind went completely blank. I could not remember what came first, what to do next, and I think I even forgot how to count! I actually remember Cassidy giving me hints from her place in the front row. If I appeared to not remember what came after crunches, Cassidy would whisper "Push-ups".
As I look back on the first time I led stretching, I see how much my leadership has changed. I started as a confused blue belt who needed constant memory refreshers. Now, I am a second red belt who can lead class independently. And, if another student is leading class, sometimes I'm the one giving the hints now!
Another leadership 'first' came to me just a couple weeks ago. Both Mr. McCall and Mrs. Schaeffer were ill. I, being the Senior Assistant Instructor and highest underbelt rank, was put in charge of a Thursday night class. I had three other red belts helping me, but I was still the main leader to whom the other red belts were turning. The night went successfully without major mishaps or disasters. With a lot of help from my fellow red belts, I can honestly say that the endeavor we were given ended prosperously.
My leadership roles are currently changing and will continue to change more once I achieve the goal of black belt. A change that I am working on at the moment is asserting my authority. It has been brought to my attention that although I am the Senior Assistant Instructor and have more authority than any other underbelt, I am not properly asserting my authority. It is my own fault that until this point I have never exactly affirmed my authority and I plan on upholding it, and my trustworthiness within my authority, by paying more attention to situations that require action on my part.
Once I obtain my black belt, I expect my leadership to change drastically, for I will be an apprentice black belt until I am sixteen. As an apprentice black belt, other students who are of age will inevitably pass me and be a higher rank than me for the rest of our careers, if we progress at a steady rate. No matter what rank I am, or who outranks me, I plan on gaining and maintaining respect from my fellow martial artists. I plan on leading in a way that will make others want to respect and follow me, rather than them feeling obligated to respect and follow.
If someone is defined as 'responsible', it means they are reliable or dependable, and answerable or accountable. It is difficult to lead well if you are not responsible. And if you are irresponsible while leading, the results can be disastrous. 'Responsibility' is defined as a 'burden of obligation upon someone who is responsible'. In order for me to lead effectively, I need to recognize my obligations and responsibilities and handle them in a reliable manner. Within my Tae Kwon Do career, I have many responsibilities. Keeping students safe; being in class even on those days where I don't want to be; upholding a trustworthy attitude; and setting a good example are all my responsibilities. I believe that by having more responsibilities handed to me, I have learned to manage them efficiently, and I have become even more accountable than I was before.
Recently, my youth group went on a missions trip to St. Louis. When I found out about the trip, I was extremely excited, and wished to go. However, the trip coincided with my black belt test. I was immensely saddened at the fact that I would not be able to go. No matter how disappointed I was, though, I was under a burden of obligation and was required to be in class every night. I still regret not being able to go, for it sounds like it was an excellent trip. But I made a commitment when I started my black belt test, and I was reliable and accountable when it came to sticking with that commitment.
As a leader, one of my major responsibilities is keeping students safe. Often, I am responsible for leading stretching so the students are not injured. I am responsible for monitoring students in a way that will prohibit injuries while they are participating in activities. I am responsible for what students learn. If I teach something to a student incorrectly, I may prevent them from defending themselves properly in the future. It would be my own fault that the move was performed incorrectly, and I would be the author of the mistake.
While I progress in rank, I will continue to have more responsibilities handed to me. Already I have begun to have the responsibility of being a sparring coach, and I will most likely begin to coach members of my team at upcoming tournaments. I may even be called upon to be a judge, at some tournaments!
One responsibility that I already have, but expect to grow, is setting a good example. As a fourteen-year-old black belt, I imagine younger students will look up to me. It will be my responsibility to act in a competent manner, so that not only will younger students have a good example to look up to, but also so the parents of those students will know their children are surrounded by positive influences.
Along with responsibilities I have to others, I also have some responsibilities that I expect myself to uphold: my goals. I have had many past goals, which I have met, and I have many future goals that I thoroughly plan on accomplishing. I believe it is important to have goals. Without goals, I would have nothing to work toward, nor anything to measure how far I've come.
When I began karate (after I started liking it that is) I set a goal. My goal was to get my black belt before I started high school. Throughout my almost three years of karate, I have wondered several times if that was an obtainable goal. At times, I doubted if I would even get my purple belt. Then, I wondered if I would reach brown belt. And then, I wondered if I would make it to red. However, here I am, three-quarters of the way through eighth grade, almost done with my black belt test, sitting here writing my black belt essay. I know I don't have my belt yet, but just making it this far has fulfilled my goal.
The goal of getting my black belt before high school was a goal that was spoken out loud. A goal that I shared with others. But I had another goal. I didn't realize I had this goal until I looked back and reflected. My goal was to be an accomplished martial artist. It was more of an informal goal, but I still have managed to reach it: I am an accomplished martial artist. I have won first place multiple times at national tournaments in forms, weapons, and sparring. I have placed in the top five at one of the biggest tournaments in the world. I have traveled all over the nation to compete, and I have participated in quite a few demonstrations. However, I have also learned how to lose. I have learned that winning is, indeed, not everything. And the latter half of this paragraph is what makes me, in my own eyes, a truly accomplished martial artist.
Right beside my list of fulfilled goals is my list of goals I am working toward. My first goal on this list is to reach at least 4th degree. I know this is a goal that will take a while to achieve, but I am up for the task. I most definitely do not want to stay a first degree forever. I mean, black belt is just when it begins to get fun, right?
Partnering with my 4th degree goal, is my goal to stay in karate for as long as my situation allows. Karate is something I enjoy. Karate keeps me physically, mentally, and my team being the team it is, spiritually fit. My goal is to stay in karate so long, that I can win first place at international tournaments. My goal is to be such an excellent martial artist that people are afraid to fight when they see me walk in. I plan on continuing under the instruction of Mr. McCall for years to come, and I hope to broaden my martial arts spectrum with new styles.
Since I joined karate, I have learned so much. I have learned how to defend myself. I have learned to be a better leader. I have learned to handle my responsibilities more effectively. I went from being the person who thinks karate is the cheesiest thing on earth, to being a total karate geek. Karate has become one of the biggest parts of my life, and my life would be completely empty without it. I cannot imagine how my life would have been without all the friends, connections, and experiences that my karate career has given me. Once again, I am eternally indebted to my mother and her decision, for her choice started me on what became and is becoming one of the greatest journeys of my life.
