Reflective Writing - My Path of Martial Arts

Since the age of 13, I have started practicing martial arts. At first I joined martial arts just out of curiousity, with not much of interest in it. I took part in a competition in my second year of training, but to return empty handed. I was quite frustrated by then, with all the peer pressures and such, which drove me to set a goal of earning myself a medal someday in the future.

Even until then, I trained myself blindly, without much of a passion. It was only in the third year of training did I start to learn to appreciate martial arts as an performing art, and passion grew in thereafter. I used to see trainings as strenuous work, but then after 3 years of practice, I started to enjoy my training sessions. I believe that influence from people around me is a great factor in this change of attitude. My fellow society mates have successfully created a positive environment for everyone to train in, without leaving anyone in isolation. They seek to help others achieve greatness, and at the same time tried their best to keep the competition as friendly as possible. 

I realized that I have actually entered a really great martial arts society, it's just that I did not take my time to notice it well enough. I started to put in more effort, guided by my much respected coach, a man in his late-thirties. According to him, the key is to really enjoy what you are doing, whether it be strenuous training or tiring workout. He also told me something even deeper, he said that in life, everything works in that way exactly, whatever field you may be associated with.

It was in my fourth year of training, that I am finally confident enough to step up to another competition. This time round, a much different story is told- I got a gold medal.

I believe that without the help from all my friends and especially my coach, I couldn't have come so far. It is important for us to assist each other in need and render each other support when it is needed. Also, I have come to light that love and passion for what you are doing is ultimately important. Greatness can be achieved by people with aspirations, and it can also be drawn closer by people vibrating with positive energy. What I have learnt from years of practice is that nobody can achieve great success solely on their own, and that we should really notice all the people around us, for they may actually play an important part in our lives.