Overcome destruction rather than run from it

Dr Tae Yun Kim is a martial artist, an author, a speaker and much more.  Here is an excerpt from her book, The Silent Master.

 

In my own life, for instance, a powerful event in my childhood helped me focus my will and gave me a quality purpose to pursue for the rest of my life. During the Korean war, when I was only five years old, we were running from the shells exploding all around us. As we were running, my little friend of the same age blew apart right in front of me. I did not understand war and death at that age or this shock. But my young mind formed a very strong response: I will never run again. This event was the starting point of a life where I would strive to develop the strength to confront and overcome destruction rather than run from it.

Instead of channeling my will power into a response of bitterness and hate, I channeled it into the determination to become a martial artist. This in itself required my constant will to persevere because women in my country were not involved or supported in this pursuit. Even when my mother tried keeping me in my room to prevent me from practicing, I found a way to continue.