Karate
November 9, 2016 - June 21, 2017
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Training
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Before I joined karate, I felt weak, not confident, and did not feel that I could ever defend myself if I needed to. However, things changed during the 8 months I trained in karate.
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One of the greatest things that I enjoyed about being in karate was the chance to be apart of a team again. I had not been apart of a team since I played softball a few years back. Coming into class every day and everyone greeting you was a great feeling. Everyone lifted each other up and encouraged one another.
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Also, each class we would either learn a new technique or improve upon one we already knew, whether it be for offense or defense. The more I went to class and the longer I was in karate, the better I got and the more I learned. I went into karate hoping to get stronger and gain piece of mind that I could defend myself if I ever needed to. And I did just that. I am no karate kid, but I do feel confident in myself to protect myself and or others, which has not only given me piece of mind, but also improved my confidence and self-esteem.
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Although Karate is not a school-related experience, it was almost a school of its own. I learned a great deal in karate that will carry with me forever, far beyond my school years. It was a school for life and self-confidence.
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It was definitely one of the most difficult sports that I have ever done, but it was by far the most rewarding. It taught me that it is okay to take chances and take risks, because those are the ones that end up paying off the most.
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Recruiting
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I had always been considered a social butterfly as a kid, but as I got older I got more shy an less social. Recruiting in karate helped me to break out of that shy shell a little bit. For recruiting, I volunteered to go with some other karate students at the dojo to gain some learning in experience in what they do to promote.
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We would walk around and talk to people who were at the festival. We would tell them a little bit about karate and if they would be interested in trying it out. This was very outside of my element: having to walk around and talk to perfect strangers. I got very nervous and did not want to say the wrong thing. However, as I started doing it more and more I actually started to enjoy it.
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These events were not just promoting to me, it was a chance to go out and talk to new people and put a smile on there face. Being able to be friendly and offer someone something for free that could benefit them in many ways. Also, talking to people and making them smile made me smile.
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This also helped to bring me out of my shell a little bit. I did not think I was going to be able to do; that I would have the social skills to do it. But I surprised myself with how much I was able to accomplish and overcome.
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