Photo by Andi Tamplin, used under Creative Commons licence.

What else does the voice of Taekwondo say to me, in my practice of the art, in my teaching and in the running of my business, Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy?

It says:

I am the life force that conveys the Martial Arts, and instils leadership skills required to build a strong community and nation.

What this means to me is inspiration. It tells me that there is a part I can play, as a man, a teacher, a leader, and that the impact I can have on those around me goes far beyond the moment.  By being an influence for good, even thought I am very far from perfect, I can instil the values I believe in into the lives of young people who will go on in their turn to become teachers and leaders and to make a real difference in the world.

We’ve been looking at leadership skills in these blogs, and I don’t think there has ever been a time when the world needed leaders – real leaders with a clear sense of hope – more than it needs it now.

The martial arts can inspire us to reach for a better future in dark times, and to keep going in the face of discouragement. That’s what Taekwondo means to me.