4.3 (February 20)

 I am resourceful.

    When I am faced with a challenge, I do one of two things. If I know how to get past the challenge, then I'll get past it and move on. If I don't know how to get past it, I'll slow down and examine it. I'll see what tools I can use to help me overcome the challenge. I do this both figuratively and literally, as I try and think to past teachings to find what would help me most with the challenge I'm facing while also looking around seeing what could physically help me with the challenge. If I'm going through a form and I feel something isn't right, I'll go over that area a few times, then I'll take a look at my technique, then I'll try and think of anything one of the instructors had said in the past to see if it would apply in a useful way. If any of that doesn't work, then I'll raise my hand to ask a question. This applies outside of Kung Fu too, as I prefer to use my own knowledge and skills instead of asking someone to assist me.

4.2 (February 13)

I have officially been a Black Belt for a week, and it’s been very weird. Bowing at the front of the class, Not being in line and actively participating in class, the title of Sihing, and the Black Belt class on Tuesday have been the biggest changes so far. As time goes on, my “reputation” as a Black belt will grow, so people won’t hesitate as much to ask me a question instead of another Black Belt. More knowledge will also come with time and practice so that will help in that aspect as well. It was very weird bowing in to my first Black Belt class, but I very quickly realized it’s just a normal class. Overall, I’m glad and relieved that this time has finally come, and now a new chapter of my Kung Fu journey begins.

4.1 (February 6)

I am a leader.

     I wasn't always a leader, but the kids classes changed that. I started to do warm-ups more often and every once and awhile I would even run the actual class. These experiences have influenced my school life, as when I am in the shop, I can lead others through things and have a group of people who come to me for help almost always. This is one of many things that teaching the kids classes has helped me with.

What Has Kung Fu Done For Me?

  Kung Fu has been a part of my life for longer than I can even remember. I began my journey in September of 2008, a month before my third birthday. In the last 13 years, lots has come and gone, but Kung Fu has remained consistent the whole time. Over the years, I have seen multiple people give their speeches and receive their Black Belts, and now it’s my turn.

When I looked back to answer this question, it was difficult for me to answer as Kung Fu has been there for my entire life, so as far as I know, Kung Fu has done everything for me. I never knew a life without Kung Fu, so I don’t quite know what kind of person I would be without it. When I first joined, I didn’t know much about anything, as I was just under 3 years old. Compare then to know, and I know a lot more, but I still have so much to learn. That’s what I find the most interesting about my journey through Kung Fu. I could learn as much as I want, but there's always more to learn after that. There is no end to mastery.

 Even if I did achieve mastery, would I still be there the next day? Probably not. Something would be discovered that makes it so that I have years ahead of me before I would achieve mastery again.That is why I like my progress towards Mastery, as I always have something to work on, and my progress is never completely stagnant. There may be some times where I make progress slower than others, but that’s life. 

One of the biggest parts of my Kung Fu journey was not giving up. I didn’t realise this until recently, but I now see how that kind of commitment has spread into every part of my life. Not giving up has been extremely beneficial for me, as it has helped me to overcome countless obstacles in life, and has assisted me in finishing almost everything I do. 

These lessons have been taught to me ever since the very beginning, but I never realised it until I started to teach the kids classes. I realised that I was putting in the mastery lessons and the never giving up lessons into what I taught the kids. This made me realise just how major and important Kung Fu actually was in my life.

That brings us to the present day. Here I am, after all these years, giving my speech. I never thought this day would come, but here we are. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without everyone who supported me through my journey. I’d like to thank the following people for their help through it. My parents for getting me to and from class before I could do it myself, and for being my backbone throughout my whole life. The rest of my family for always being interested in my Kung Fu and keeping me motivated. All of the Sifus and Sihings throughout the years that taught me everything I know today. All the teachers that signed off on me grading for each belt. And my friends that stuck with me through the pandemic and kept inspiring me to keep going.

And now to finally answer the question of What Has Kung Fu Done for Me. It has given me a second family. A group of people that I know fairly well and who I feel welcomed by. A group that I know I can ask a lot of questions to, talk about most things, and have fun with. It is something that I will forever be grateful for and will impact me for the rest of my life. Thank you.