The Man with the Orange Belt

On a Saturday morning, many years ago, I took my sons to their usual Taekwondo lesson. It was at the old dojang (Taekwondo gym), across the street from the new dojang. It was a very small space. Most days, we had to watch our sons train from outside. It was early in the morning and I was lucky enough to get a seat as there weren’t a lot of people watching the lesson.

Towards the end of the lesson, an advanced student walked in with his father. His father took off his shoes and carried a case of water to the back room. I was happy to see that even the parents showed respect when entering the training area. Even though I had seen the advanced student train many times, even taking the time to work with my sons, I had never seen the student’s father before. I was surprised moments later when he came out of the back room with his dobok (Taekwondo uniform) on wearing an orange belt. I knew right then and there that I was going to study Taekwondo at the same dojang.

I always wanted to become a martial artist. I dreamed of it ever since I was a young boy in the 70s watching Saturday afternoon kung fu movies at my grandparents’ house. I always had other priorities. I was too involved in too many other activities that I never took the time to get my trial lesson when I was young.

Fast forward four decades, and I am in my early 40s, working full time and finishing up my doctoral classes before I start my dissertation. My wife comes home with the boys from practice and tells me that their Taekwondo school gives parents a free lesson on Wednesday nights.

We got a babysitter, and on the following Wednesday night, we went to Taekwondo. We both were a sweaty and exhausted mess at the end of the session. My wife said that was fun, but once was enough. I was hooked. I began my study of Taekwondo that night. 

I have risen in the ranks over the years. I think back to that night and the journey that I started. The only student left from that first Wednesday night class is the same father who walked into the dojang many years ago, carrying a case of water to the back room. He is a man of strength and a man of character. He is a role model and a a source of inspiration. He is the man with the orange belt.

Just Be Better

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