Change

***I'm not in martial arts to change it, I'm in martial arts for it to change me*** TJ Fernandez


When I began martial arts I never considered that it would really change me. I thought, oh I’ll learn how to kick or get out of someone’s grasp. I truly didn’t think it would change me all that much.

Now, as I look back I can see some of the changes in myself and all for the good.

1. I’m learning to lighten up a little. I’ve always been a very serious person. I would never do anything goofy in public! Well, I was pretty goofy in class tonight and I had a good time. Sometimes it is about having fun.

2. I’ve always been a goal setter. For me physical goals are harder than any others. It takes a deeper level of commitment from me to obtain them. I’ve been able to set goals for myself that I never thought were possible.

3. Recognizing the perfectionist in me reminds me that none of us are perfect. As I tell my kids all the time, “We all sin and fall short of the glory of God”. It’s ok if I try something and don’t get it the first, second or even third time. This has been a hard lesson.

4. Learning to laugh at myself without being embarrassed. Truthfully trying to do cartwheels at 44 is a bit embarrassing. But tonight when I finally did a few that felt pretty good, I was so excited. You would have thought I had won the lottery with all the jumping I did. It was fun.

5. Courage – is a funny thing. It takes a lot of courage for me to trust my body into doing some of the things we do. I’ve learned to take a deep breath and go for it. Some things are not near as bad as I make them out to be in my head.

6. Trust – learning to trust others telling you, “you can do this” is very difficult. Sometimes you have to have faith in your instructors. They often see things within you that you don’t. You have to trust them.

I’m sure there are lots of other things that have been changed about me but this is a good start. I hope martial arts is changing you too.

Lisa