doing lots of flips before going for late night sushi at koto. i was working on a lot of butterfly twist, something i tend to stay away from because i simply don’t feel like i understand. i guess i’m embarrassed with the struggles of not understanding what the motion needs to be after take off. some days i feel really down and think that maybe i’ll never get it, and be the only person that won’t have a chance to land one on the floor
a song that’s been looping endlessly especially when i’m at loss of words. sometimes i think i have found what i’m looking for, i have what i want, and then those thoughts vanish. these thoughts leave me hanging and instills a lot of self doubt. lately i’m feeling a little upset at myself and i’m trying hard not to let that to spill over to others. this song resonates for me; it gives me a boost and a reason to continue even when i’m uncertain
this is an expensive paper that is proof that kukkiwon has another holder of taekwondo third dan status. it’s definitely a distinction i can be proud of because it’s an achievement i can safely say i worked hard for. it certainly wasn’t an ambition i thought i would ever attain in my lifetime when i first began my taekwondo journey. and one that had ample of obstacles along the way, but found a way to knock them down one by one. i waited ever so patiently for this certificate and card to arrive, and it couldn’t have been anymore timely. i needed my kukkiwon card really badly otherwise going to this year’s nationals would be an issue
i have been troubled and drowning in my own thoughts which has me staying up late and thinking a lot lately. over the years, taekwondo has given me a lot to look forward to and a lot to be proud of, but that’s not to say it hasn’t given all sorts of pressure and stress. one could say competition has given me a sense of belonging, because it’s also where i found out that i too, could succeed. it’s taken my next to zero confidence and upping that to a level of being confident enough to step out on the mats alone and get things done. somehow, i feel competing is not what it used to be for me. i always felt the pressure leading up to each competition, but never have i felt it so intensely that i’ve become super stressed out and almost numb. is it a sign that i’m not doing it as a passion? is there such thing as a “martial arts block” like a “writer’s block”? sometimes i can’t differentiate if i am fulfilling my job to compete just because i’ve been doing so all along. i’m unsure whether it’s expected of me, or if it’s a self chosen decision. what makes this one different than the ones in the past that gives me so much more undue stress? a lot to be honest. first of all, i’m no longer under the coaches i’m used to, but directly under the watchful eyes of the grandmaster. second, my parents play a big factor. they seemingly have no expectations for my competition game because they have doubted me from the first day i took on taekwondo, but somehow still appears to have so much expectation. they never expected me to get anywhere close to blackbelt and even sought every opportunity to pry me away from the sport. the results at nationals really isn’t my focal point nor the reason i go to nationals. it wasn’t in the past, and this year’s isn’t any different. competing at such a high level is definitely a privilege i don’t take lightly. it’s an eye opener that’s all about the experience and through that i’ve gained so much more. i hope the grandmaster and others see it in the same light, but sometimes i am afraid of those who put a lot more weight in results and standings. i hate not living up to expectations and i hate letting people down; maybe i’ve done it way too much in the past. luckily, i am still able to find bright spots of supportive casts to put everything into perspective and make sure i keep going strong. they let me know that as long as i do everything within my powers and give it everything i got, i should have no regrets. so bottom line is – stop self doubting and stop second guessing, just get my shit together, work my ass off and let the rest play itself out
training tonight was unlike any training i have been to for the past several years. i’m afraid there’s so much to work on and not enough time to get myself up to his standards, or even my own standards. i can only promise to try my best, but no guarantees i will get it down pat. the fear of undertaking this daunting endeavour alone is frightful, i’m afraid i won’t live up to expectations and disappoint those that invested time in getting me there. i don’t know how long i’d last or if this is the right moment to jump off the train now
2015 was a good year in the grand scheme of things. through the past year, i have learned a lot about myself and have a better grasp of what i want to attain and where i want to go. i realized my true ambitious self of not wanting to remain at the same level time after time, year after year. there was definitely not as much action as i would like in terms of taekwondo competitions, but sometimes fate and timing has a lot to do with it. continuing to be involved in the dodgeball community not only in vancouver, but expanded my team to richmond. there’s no surprise i remain injury-proned; but the frequency as well as the ability to heal myself has gotten progressively better. i cannot express how blessed i am to have met so many supportive people in my life that always lends a hand or provides motivational words so i can stay on track even when times get tough
here’s to welcoming 2016 with open arms with set goals and big ambitions to take everything to the next level. let’s write the next 365 days and make it a year to remember.
i am ready to take on all these challenges. find my strong. it’s now or never
some things in life take a long time to learn, some things in life take a life time to adopt; many of which that takes longer are the lessons that are well worth the wait. i have been constantly hounded by motivated individuals that tells me limits only exist in the mind and that all records are meant to be broken and surpassed over time. their hard work and persistent ways of beating this concept into me has not gone to waste. i have been working hard on taking their words to turning them into reality, making progress every time i step in for whatever training it may be. i do have results to show for and certainly my mind has become stronger than what it once was not too long ago. being able to do what i couldn’t do last time is a step in the right direction, being what i thought i could never do is my ultimate prize. indeed, this is an important lesson i am still trying to drill into my mind, but i know it’s been slowly getting through to me. i hope my progress will be continual, that i will never stop short of striving for better every single time. one day, i ultimately hope to make them proud of me, to look back and see where i’ve been and how far i’ve come. i want no regrets, and i certainly don’t want to disappoint myself or anyone not having tried my best to achieve what i should very well be capable of
