All I Needed to Know I Learned from Martial Arts

There are 5 (in some schools 10) basic principles that a Tae Kwon Do student is charged to live by:

1.     I will be loyal to my country.

How simple would life be if we all lived by these tenets regardless of race, creed or ethnicity? National pride wouldn’t be synonymous with a quest for power and domination over others. Rather it would be a deep recognition and respect for those who have come before and for those who have fought for the rights and freedoms we all enjoy. It would reflect a sense of responsibility to one another.

2.   I will honor my parents.

Parents can come in many different forms. There are moms and dads, moms and moms, dads and dads, single parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends and mentors. Good parenting in any form is never easy and is comprised of an array of deep emotions and selflessness. When we take time to recognize the sacrifices the people who have cared for us have made, we honor our parents and show gratitude for their roles in our lives.

3.     I will be faithful to my friends.

Consider those of whom you call “friend”. What is it about those people that, has earned them that title? Sometimes we become friends because we share a sense of humor. Other times we’ve been bonded by a common challenge or goal. Regardless of what draws us to each other, being a trustworthy friend requires awareness, self-control and love. It is a worthwhile endeavor built on acceptance and kindness to those we call our friends. When we are a “faithful friend” we embrace a relationship of giving and receiving. We must be willing to give our time and our attention, as well as be willing

1.     I will treat all living things with care.

2.     I will finish what I start.