The Foreign Service Journal, June 2009

J U N E 2 0 0 9 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 25 ative obscurity to being the most practiced martial art in the world, and that it had been recognized as a full Olympic sport in 2000. Just the Beginning The examiners nodded, but I could tell they wanted to know about my personal journey. During my years of doing Taekwondo, I had gained a son and moved across continents. I saw generosity and persever- ance in the instructors who had encouraged me, even as they struggled with their own personal, physical and fi- nancial challenges. Their dedication to their art inspired me to overcome my own doubts and physical insecurities. Finally, I explained to my black belt testers that I pur- sued Taekwondo mainly because of the challenge and the exercise, and because devoting five years to working toward a difficult goal made me feel younger and more alive. The black belt isn’t the end but the beginning of a new set of goals — “and you’re never too old for a challenge,” I said. The exam- iners nodded, congratulating me on passing the test. “You’re never too old,” they agreed, “but at your age, don’t spend too much time learn- ing to spar. At your age, you don’t need to fight.” My first lesson with Sylvan after this test was sober- ing. “You only begin to learn Taekwondo once you get the black belt,” he said, outlining a new, much more in- tense routine for the coming year. I would have to do more cardio, take fewer breaks, build my muscles, in- crease my tolerance for pain. I would have to absorb the spiritual aspects of the sport and learn that each move- ment I learned in the previous five years had an inner meaning connecting the mind to the body. He took me F O C U S Their dedication to their art inspired me to overcome my own doubts and physical insecurities.