It has been said that the true “dojang” starts at the door on the way out. That is, a good student of the martial arts brings their practice into their daily life. The advanced student sets the example always. They leave their personal issues at the door and never bring them into the dojang. Likewise, the students learn that the dojang is a safe haven and is free of the daily baggage that greets them at home, work, school, and often within their community. In fact, the reason we take off our shoes before walking on the mat is to remind ourselves that we remove ourselves from the outside world before beginning our training. We do this to get in touch with our inner selves and to be more alert to our surroundings. This is often referred to as the shoe rack theory as mentioned in a previous article.
“The difference between a Master and a novice is that the Master makes use of each opportunity in life as well as in practice.” Author Unknown
The warrior mindset is a unique worldview that can shape how we approach our work, relationships, and daily life. This powerful mindset can be seen in warriors throughout history who have been able to tackle complex challenges and come out victorious. The warrior mindset is based on three core beliefs: a never-ending commitment to excellence, an unshakeable belief in yourself, and an unwavering dedication to others.
First, commitment to excellence is what drives the warrior mindset. Warriors strive for perfection in all areas, from physical strength and agility to intellectual prowess. It’s about going beyond what has already been achieved and pushing yourself further each day. This drive for excellence also extends into their ethical decisions; warriors are conscious about righting wrongs wherever they may be found.
Second, warriors have a deep faith in themselves and their abilities; they know that they will come out on top no matter their challenge if they stubbornly persist. This self-belief gives them the mental toughness to stay focused when obstacles arise—it helps them stay resilient through difficult times.
Finally, warriors are dedicated to helping others succeed as well as themselves. They understand that supporting one another will benefit the entire team—this creates a culture of mutual respect and collaboration among all those involved in the mission at hand.
The warrior mindset is not just an attitude or philosophical outlook; it’s a lifestyle choice that can help you succeed professionally and personally. By embracing these core beliefs—a never-ending commitment to excellence, an unshakeable belief in yourself, and an unwavering dedication to others—you can adopt the warrior mindset and make positive changes in your life!
As the year draws to an end, it is a good time to reflect on all of our accomplishments and victories especially for this year as we move beyond the pandemic. We are proud to share that Cambridge Tang Soo Do has thrived in 2022 and it is in no small part due to all our collective efforts. Even though we did not have the opportunity to get together for our yearly championship, we did get a chance to meet in person at our summer camp and holiday party. Here is what we have accomplished this year:
- We have 50 active students in our school
- We welcomed 5 new students and 2 transfer students
- 18 students attended the summer camp
- We welcomed 2 new Cho-Dans into the Black Belt family
- We promoted 2 Cho-Dan, 2 E-Dans and 1 Sam- Dans
- We had 7 students from CTSD attend the Master’s Clinic.
I am very grateful for everybody’s contribution and support as we continue to build Cambridge Tang Soo Do. As a TEAM, we were able to accomplish some great things. The old saying (TEAM), “together, everyone achieves more”, is surely true in this case. I look forward to more of the same in 2023.
Today’s world produces plenty of stress. In measured amounts and properly used, stress is a challenge that creates an opportunity for growth. If prolonged, however, it can lead to emotional upset and physical illness. Stress is a demand for adjustment placed on an individual by a situation or event. The body’s response to stress is to release a hormone that causes physical changes, such as: increased pulse and blood pressure, increased muscle tension, perspiration and sweaty hands, nervousness, and elevated cholesterol. Frequent and repeated exposure to stress takes a toll on the body, the mind and the spirit.
A stress reducer helps the individual regain a sense of control and equilibrium. Doctor Eliot suggests the following stress-reducing strategies: relax, exercise, eat right, talk to a friend, don’t rely on alcohol or drugs, prioritize your responsibilities, do something for yourself. Thinking about it, we realize that Tang Soo Do training does bring all those strategies together: the intense exercise, the Um-Yang philosophy of life, the pride of learning martial arts, and the chance of belonging to the largest world organization where friendship is infinite makes us strive to live in a environment with reduced stress. Each person has a choice. Reducing stress starts with making the choice to change a behavior and Tang Soo Do will help you achieve this goal.