The spirit that moved you to train in the first place is the key. You were a warrior before the first day of your training. Just an unskilled one. I bet you do battle more often than you think. At work or school, or where ever you find yourself challenged or in conflict. The lessons you learn during your training, beyond just the physical, is what gives you power. The strength of your punches or the speed of your kicks has little to do with your power.
Here's a question to ask yourself: How many battles have you won because you didn't have to fight them?
I find the martial art spirit hard to define, but I think a large part of it is courage. Yet there are parts of the spirit that I can't articulate - not even sure what they are. Determination that comes from somewhere deep inside?
I'd watched my daughter's classes for 9 months and something kept tugging at me. I knew I wanted to do it but didn't know why. I still can't put my finger on why I do TSD. My daughter asked me to go as her buddy during buddy week. I was hooked after that. If someone asked my what I do TSD, I could only answer, "The physical and mental challenge." There is more, I just don't know what "it" is.
I'm not an athlete and it took a lot of courage to even go to the buddy class. One of the senior instructors asked me how I liked the class. I jokingly said, "I didn't throw up so I thought it went well." In part, that was a true statement. I knew the classes were rough. I'd seen people nearly pass out. In that buddy class, we did wall kicks, punching drills, crunches, push ups, a form, flying sidekicks - very challenging. Other students and instructors complimented me on my hard effort and that gave me a boost of confidence. I joined the school that night.
I don't like going to competitions. But I understand why it is mandatory that we go. I learned a lot about myself last year during my first competition. I found out I have more courage and determination than I ever thought I had. And there was something about overcoming fear, too. Also, I didn't care whether I placed, I just wanted to do my best. I stunk doing my Chil-Sung form because I just wasn't ready at orange belt. But I placed first in board-breaking and second in sparring. It was all determination and focus. I was the eldest in the group; one woman was more than half my age.
I guess there is some inner drive that makes us continue in Martial Arts. Wish I knew what that was
What is that inner power? It has to be more than focus but I suppose focus is a large part of it. No one is going to make Cho Dan and beyond without it. It takes some extraordinary mental strength to persevere.
I think it takes some kind of desire/focus to stay on even at my level (4th gup).
I believe my training has given me more patience, determination and focus than I previously had. Those qualities certainly help in conflict/problem-solving.
