When did I get so old

By Linda M. Russo, E Dan

February 2003

“When did I get so old?”. This is the most frequent thought that runs through my head just after Master Homschek says “dismissed” at the end of class. I keep thinking back to when I was a 20-something year old Cho Dan Bo and could jump higher, move faster and pull muscles less easily. At times it becomes very frustrating but , as with everything in Tang Soo Do, I try to go back to the basics.

One of the most important philosophies of the World Tang Soo Do Association is that the purpose of training should be the enhancement of mental and physical betterment. Sound familiar? It should. It’s the first of the 14 Attitude Requirements. Notice that the mental betterment comes before the physical. Its that way for a purpose.

In today’s world, there is a great emphasis on being the winner, that number two isn’t good enough and that what you accomplish only means something when compared to others. In reality, there can only be one “number 1”. But does that mean that everyone without the highest jumps or the fastest techniques should just give up and stop training?

Absolutely not.

The first attitude requirement emphasizes that the goal of training is SELF IMPROVEMENT. It doesn’t matter if you can only kick at knee level or if you never get down the 360 round kick. What does matter is that your journey in Tang Soo Do brings you a little closer to your goals each time you train and that you put forth your best effort. It is a development of your mental stamina that helps you accomplish your goals. From mental development follows the physical. Things like getting to class even when you just don’t want to or making yourself do one more kick when you legs feel like rubber bands. The mental discipline that develops from this will filter into all parts of your life.

When I was a Gup student I trained with an 84 year old man who survived Europe during World War 2 , in which his entire family was lost. He rarely missed class and was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. He trained with a bunch of 20 year olds that he couldn’t possible have kept up with. But he always came to class because he was determined to get his Black Belt (he did). He trained for his own improvement. Now when I feel something creak, I think about him and all of his effort and try to keep going.

As I progress further in my training, the emphasis on winning trophies has all but disappeared and the emphasis on self improvement and the internal aspects of training has become more important to me. Getting that kick a little closer to the way it used to be 10 years ago is a major goal instead of comparing myself to others. If the kick is never that good again but gets a little closer each class, oh well. It is the process and progress that is important. One of my favorite sayings is “Life is a journey, not a destination”. How you travel along the way is what matters most.

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