The room--dead silent-- was filled with anxious parents enduring watching six intense hours of their child go through difficult trials. These trials were designed to measure the mental and physical limitations of their Student. Every Parent anticipating that their child’s name was the one written inside the black folder containing the certificate, the certificate of excellence.Awarded to the best individual performance displaying moral values and Athletic performance  . The student chosen happened to be the one one selected for the third consecutive time, who had won the award more times than a single hand can hold, and who was highly esteemed by both his fellow classmates and parents. He had entered the Martial Art of Taekwondo at age four. Always attentively listening, and ready to face the adversity of whatever the sport had to throw at him--was nervously and patiently waiting to see if his name was going to be called. So too was everyone in the room.  After dreadfully awaiting--the suspense was finally over. The room erupted with applause. Gratification followed. Then with great big strides the student accepted the award with the great admiration. That student was me.

I believed life had more meaning beyond boasting about personal success and being the best.I was raised in a the humbling household in the suburbs outside of Chicago where I felt safe. I had much to be thankful for. Recalling my mother help me sound out syllables in  Green eggs and Ham by Dr.Seuss, and reading the Giving Tree by  a fellow chicagoan named Shel Silverstein brings back many fond memories inside the cozy comfort of my bedroom. as if it were yesterday. Literacy did not always bring back great memories. Growing up in Elementary school I had always struggled with reading and writing. My only concerns at the time were trying to better myself physically and learning how to improve my physical abilities. I was always trying to get stronger and faster. The idea of wanting to be a Professional Taekwondo fighter was always in the center of my thoughts. Never was I interested in learning about sentence structure from my First grade teacher about when  to use a comma and period. I learned best in something that I enjoyed doing.  I recall Sitting on the colorful  mats of studio floor-- reciting Korean numbers around the same time learning them in English, but I learned much more than just learning how to count from one to ten in Korean, which was great if you were looking to impress your your teacher. But constantly observing words displayed in bold red letters like Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit had more meaning imaginable to that Third graders mind. Although looking in perspective I didn't fully understand, are words that were ingrained into my conscious that later in life would become clear. I knew the animalistic instincts of fighting wasn't the end to my calling card. I knew was meant for more, but I just didn't understand the complex issues of our Psychology. At the time it had no appeal to my 10 year old unenlightened mind. I had no patience to learn, I wanted shine and be in the limelight of an Olympic athlete. Always being told I was strong and fast had strong influence on trying to impress my father. He wanted me to succeed in school as well as athletics, but my perception of me being the best I could only be achieved in Athletics. Naturally it seemed to lean in my favor. 

As life progressed so did my literacy. Reading about the Age of Enlightenment in my Global studies class regarding the ideas of --Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau-- all were concepts I had related to with Martial Arts. Rene Desorte and his scientific method in connection to the body and mind were concepts that intrigued me. It brought me to the pages of reading some of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. It opened my eyes to many things. Enjoying what I was reading was new to me. Reading about the different schools of thought on Psychology answered a lot of pondering questions about life. I  had always felt self-conscious about where my aggression towards fighting came from. I became more literate and I began to pick up books that  I would have never imagined I would Touch. Feeling the the weight of a 800 page book gave me motivation to increase my knowledge.  Uncovering the truth about Psychology, and learning about human nature-- were two things that gravitated me towards seeking the Truth. Reading pulled me towards different  perspectives and also learning about Neuroscience--looking at behavior of the brain through biology-- which lead me to writing my own thoughts about human nature on a piece of blank paper. I began writing about my experiences on how Martial Arts has shaped me to become a better person. Reflecting on my Human nature through past experiences. Something I was never open to. Writing in my journal with my black pen in the same cozy bed that my mother once helped me read in.

I have come a long way since since learning about how to write a proper sentence and sounding out syllables from Green Eggs and Ham. From the years in those Martial arts classes learning about good moral values until now. Unlocking my full potential through reading and writing has influenced me to become the best I can be. Not just through proving my physical abilities, and toughness as a fighter, but understanding how I can become a better person through helping others and having great moral values that can stick in my conscious for the rest of my life.