This is the third of five installments focusing on the tenets of Taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. A good Taekwondo school will insist that its students exemplify all these traits. Understanding the meaning and purpose of each tenet is key to becoming a martial artist in both mind and body.
Perseverance defined
According to Webster’s dictionary, perseverance is the “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” A synonym of perseverance that I love is steadfastness—a common theme in the Bible (for example, see 1 Corinthians 15:58 and James 1:12). The idea of being steadfast prompts a mental picture of someone who is unwavering and immovable. I envision the strong confidence of someone who knows who they are and what they can do. This is something worth aspiring to. Movies are made around the theme of perseverance. Perseverance exemplifies the best of the human condition—our ability to survive and thrive under the most difficult of circumstances. Without perseverance, achievement isn’t possible.
Perseverance leads to self-control
Perseverance leads to self-control in the same way that courtesy leads to integrity, and integrity leads to perseverance. Self-control is the natural outcome of practicing perseverance.
I’m currently experiencing this on some level within my own Taekwondo journey as I prepare to become a referee for a national qualifying event. I find being a referee extremely difficult. A sparring referee has to process information fast; decisions need to be made over the course of split seconds. Information that can and will affect the outcome of fights needs to be observed, filtered, and decided upon in each moment. Emotions are high, athletes are breathless, and yet the five tenets are an expectation of everyone involved. In my life, I generally prefer to sit and digest things. Contemplation is a favorite pastime of mine. For these reasons, I find the fast-paced nature of refereeing quite stressful.
Because I find being a referee difficult, the lure of just choosing not to participate is real. Yet, I love Taekwondo. I desire to be steadfast. I want to persevere. I will get better. So, I continue.
Perseverance in children
As a parent, teaching my children how to persevere is right up there with teaching them courtesy and integrity. I want my children to be “over-comers.” In fact, the Center for Parenting Education states that “perseverance implies that a person will persist with a task even when he would rather do something else or when the task becomes difficult.” With that in mind, it’s easy to envision why the art of Taekwondo is fundamentally such a great tool for teaching kids to persevere.
Similarly, to encourage perseverance you need to foster resilience. According to Consciousmommy.com, being resilient means to “withstand and recover from difficulty or adversity.” I love that, because it so adequately describes the trials that come with taking a belt test, or fighting a sparring round, or memorizing a difficult poomsae.
In another post, I describe the time I wanted to rescue my son from the difficulty he faced as a shy boy in a new Taekwondo dojang. I’m so glad I kept my peace (and tongue). I’m so glad he persevered. He now holds a national bronze medal as a blue belt in Taekwondo. Who could have guessed?