“A sense of accomplishment and tranquility it offers me, but most importantly, it shows that with motivation, anything can be a possibility.” As learned, karate is the act of defending oneself without the use of weapons, but through sharp movements with the hands, arms, and legs. A while back, I wrote about having the desire to participate in karate, and now it’s been about seven months since I started taking lessons. To some people it is a shock to them that I am getting involved in such a vigorous activity, but to others, including my karate sensei or teacher, there is no surprise. Karate is not only a physical sport; it involves mental concentration to which sound can compensate for the lack of visual reference.
Since I have started karate at Colorado’s Budokan, my sensei has helped me with my balance, coordination, strength, orientation, and pace. In addition to my family and friends, I have seen immense improvements in these areas, which have given me more confidence in my physical abilities. In fact, I am strongly considering on participating in a karate competition that is going to be held early next year.
Honestly, being a true introvert though, I am a little nervous about competing in front of an audience. It is a fear that I must overcome. As my family, friends, and sensei put it, the competition will challenge me by enabling me to step outside of my comfort zone.
Although I am nervous, I had to stop and ask myself what I would be losing if I competed, and the answer is nothing. However, the same thing cannot be said if I chose not to participate in the competition. If I did not compete, I would be losing out on having the opportunity to not only compete with those who are sighted, but the pleasure of knowing that I pushed myself to a new level, strengthened my self-confidence, did not have to wonder about what it would be like to compete, and most importantly, knowing that I tried my best. So, I have a pledge to you. Since I am stepping outside of my comfort zone, I challenge you to find one way to step outside of your own. Ask yourself what you have to lose verses what you could gain in the process.
