What do you want to accomplish? A goal is a navigation tool for you life to help guide you toward what you wish to accomplish.
Prepare and do it.
If you are unprepared or you quit, you will never reach your goal.
Bes positive.
Have a good attitude toward the people surrounding you. They will help you reach your goal.
Work hard.

Perseverance is a very important word, to me. It’s even more important, what we choose to do with it. It can be used in your TKD training when your Instructor introduces a new technique. Through my years of TKD, I’ve had my leaders show me something new and I thought, “I’ll never be able to do it.” I look back and can remember many times when I thought this. A lot of times it was a technique or new move that I thought I wouldn’t be able to perfect, but with hard work and perseverance, I perfected it and could then move on to a new level in my training. If it’s worth doing, do it right, by showing perseverance. Use perseverance in your values; the ones your parents and other respected people in your life have taught you. Perseverance is necessary through your life as you strive to be the best person you can be. Whether it’s being a valuable friend, teacher, fellow work person, student, we need to remember the values and persevere to set a good example for others to follow. I’d like to encourage you to have fun, laugh often, train hard and always look ahead – not back. Be a positive person and never give up!

Loyalty is, in fact, a choice you make. It comes from within. It is not something you talk about, nor is it a feeling. It is something you do. It is part of who you are. Loyalty is about relationships, commitment and trust, and cannot depend on situations or feelings. If you are only a friend to someone when you feel like it, then you are not really a friend. Being loyal means you stand by and with others when they need it most. It is not conditional, it is not situational. It is a choice and an attitude. Courage helps you stand up for yourself and others, integrity helps you stand up for what you believe in, and perseverance helps you stick it out when life gets difficult. Loyalty takes all of these things and more.

Respectful people treat others with consideration. They do what is tasteful and proper in dealing with others. Respectful people treat others as they want to be treated, they value others and they help other people value themselves. There are many ways to show respect for yourself and others in your training. Treat others with respect by being polite. Respect the individuality of others and accept differences of opinion. Judge people on their merits and do not take advantage of others weaker than yourself. Value and honor all people, no matter what they can do for you or to you. Be respectful regardless of the pressure your peers might put on you. It’s always important to do what you know is right. Your friends will respect you more for the fact that you are strong in character. By finishing this program you will earn the respect of your parents, your future students and my respect. I look forward to meeting you as a self-made leader!

Courtesy is shown throughout the martial arts world when we greet each other with the sincere act of bowing. Yet, there are many other ways that courtesy can be demonstrated in the martial arts and your everyday life. By being polite, showing good manners and saying nice things to people you go to school with, meet in the community or live with in your home are just a few ways you can show courtesy in your relationships. One of the most important ways to show courtesy in your life is by not using put-downs, insults or ridicule to embarass or hurt others. This may be hard to do when you may be hurt or embarassed by how others treat you, but it is important that you act with courtesy nonetheless. By rising above the bad behavior of others you will be building your self-esteem and others will value your integrity. Show courtesy by being kind and considerate of others and expressing thanks for what they do for you. Be sure to tell someone “thank you” when they are kind to you. Remember that you make the world a better place by giving others credit for the kind things they do and letting them know you consider them valuable in your life.

Self-control is one of the greatest benefits we get by training in Songham Taekwondo. Every day that we go to class, train at home, do our homework or go to work, we are practicing self-control. When we wait to react to something we did not like, like a nasty comment, or we choose simply to let it go unanswered, we are showing self-control. A true martial arts master must always control his or her thoughts, words and actions. When we have mastered ourselves, we can better control the elements that comprise our goals. Without self-control, no one including ourselves can trust us. Show integrity and never give up on self-control!

He who possesses honor has a great sense of right and wrong. Honor demands living with esteemed values and a strong moral code. By demonstrating integrity, courage, loyalty, respect, and selfless service and duty, one’s name and reputation are imbued with honor.

Integrity is always doing what is right. Learning to have Integrity and using it in every aspect of your life is a very important part of living as a Leader. As a Leader, how you live your life infl uences everyone around you. Having Integrity means that if you fi nd a wallet, you give it back no matter what other people say you should do. Having Integrity means being honest with yourself and with others. It means standing up for what you believe in. By standing up for your family and friends as well as your religious beliefs you are being honest with yourself. When you stand up for what you believe in you are showing everyone around you that you have great Integrity. Being honest with yourself also means admitting your mistakes. You are using Integrity when you admit to making mistakes and trying to fi x them. If you make a mistake in life, you tell others. By telling other people that you have made a mistake and will fi x it, you are letting them know that it is ok to make mistakes as long as you are willing to take responsibility for them. If you live your life with Integrity, always doing what is right, you will help everyone around you learn to live like a Leader!

Good grooming says a lot about one’s attitude. Always carry yourself in a positive manner. Dress in a clean and pressed uniform, smell good, keep your hair, fingernails and toenails groomed. Be friendly, positive and sincerely interested in what you are doing and stand for. Please show respect to all of the high ranks, especially Masters. Your thoughts sometimes speak louder than words. Always say “Yes sir,” “No sir,” “Yes ma’am,” or “No ma’am.” Speak loudly and clearly with authority. Be ready to assist others at all times. At this precious stage of your life and Taekwondo career, education is a MUST! Your attitude about your education should be positive and forthcoming. Keeping all of this in mind and you are on your way to becoming a great Instructor!

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