Black Belt Boys

My nephews, ages 12 and 10, are now Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do.

Our family attended the Black Belt test today where 8 students — ranging in age from 10 to adult (I’d guess 45) — showed awesome skills, focus and endurance. When I was told about the two-hour test/demonstration, I imagined each student performing a routine and skills, then sitting down while the others took their turns. Not so. The students were all active for the better part of the two hours. I apologize for not knowing the official terms, but there were kicks, jumps, punches, poses, 100 pushups, sparring, nunchuks, and breaking of boards with hands, elbows and feet. They were drenched with sweat. It was insipiring to witness.

Each student prepared a short speech and I cried when my nephews gave theirs. I am so proud of those boys.

I also listened carefully to the adults as they tried to convey how martial arts had changed their lives. I wonder what would happen if more people took the time to pursue something with such passion. It seems to me that a lot of people go through the motions of life, either by choice or due to circumstances that they feel are beyond their control (which is still by choice, really). Would anything change in the world if more people truly understood that they HAVE the power to do whatever they want with their lives? Would human nature take a turn for the better if more people were truly inspired by their paths in life?