Photo by k_Mohan used under Creative Commons licence.

All the best mentoring relationships work both ways. When you give you to others, you get a lot back, I’ve learned such a lot from the great people I’ve coached and mentored through Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy down the years.

I feel fortunate and blessed to have so much to be proud of. I take strength from my achievements.  I’m lucky – and I continue to be lucky – to be able to see the difference I’ve made in the world.  And that’s a gift I’m still receiving.

I’m very much aware that I’m part of a cycle, a process.  I belong with other people and together we try to make a difference and to hand on the things we’ve learned and to teach, mentor and support others.  

I’m part of a cycle and a process, giving to others who will hand those lessons on

Recently I watched one of my students supervising others at a grading presentation.  Three years ago, this young boy couldn’t walk confidently into the room, and certainly couldn’t speak up for himself if you asked him a question. He’d been a fragile guy who didn’t  have much self-esteem, and his parents brought him along to build his self confidence and give him a more healthy sense of his self-will and control over his life. Now he was confident and calm, not just able to be in control of himself but holding a position of authority.

That feeling is the reason I would never – even if I might occasional want to or think about retirement or just settling down a bit and working less and taking it easy – why I would never give up teaching taekwondo. That moment watching him showed to me the responsibility I have in enthusing children to become better people – to become better than good and the best they can be.

Seeing the difference I can make in the world is humbling and inspiring, and I’ll keep on doing it as long as I can.