Valuable Life Lessons Learned from My 10-Year-Old Daughter

Watching my ten-year-old daughter progress through her martial arts journey has been an incredible experience. Seeing her reach each new belt and then strive for the next, now earning her Tiger Elite belt in Tae Kwon Do (one belt away from the coveted Black Belt), has made me a very proud parent. However, it is not just the pride I feel that has made this journey so valuable. Watching her train and grow reminded me of important beliefs I once had that I feel I have forgotten, or even worse, forsaken.?Abigail has taught me valuable lessons that have changed my perspective on many things, personally and professionally.

Hard Work:

One of the most important things that my daughter’s journey has reminded me of is the value of hard work. ?I always believed that was an inherent trait that I had, but as I have gotten older, I worry that maybe I have been losing my “eye of the tiger”. ?Seeing her work towards her goal of earning her Tiger Elite belt has been inspiring. She had put in countless hours of training, endured the physical and mental challenges of the sport, and never gave up even when it seemed impossible. Watching her overcome obstacles and continue to push herself has helped me not forget what has gotten me this far in life and not ever stop. I always believed that anything is possible with dedication and hard work, and Abigail has reminded me that this is true.

Dedication:

Abigail’s dedication to martial arts has also reminded me of the importance of setting and being dedicated to my goals. Seeing her commit herself to her training and put in the hard work required to earn her belts has rekindled the idea that you can achieve great things if you dedicate yourself to it. Whether it's a personal goal or a work-related goal, I've learned that success requires a level of dedication and commitment that can only come from within.

Self-Discipline:

Another important lesson that I have learned from my daughter is the importance of self-discipline. Tae Kwon Do is a martial art that requires a lot of self-discipline. Abigail has learned how to control her body and mind, stay focused, and push through pain and fatigue. Seeing her exercise this level of discipline in her martial arts training has inspired me to apply the same level of discipline to my own life.

Perseverance:

Abigail is like a machine, never quitting and always trying to do better. ?Her perseverance has taught me the importance of never giving up, even when things get tough. Tae Kwon Do is demanding and requires physical and mental strength, and my daughter has shown a remarkable ability to push through the challenges and keep going. This has reminded me that when faced with adversity, it's important to keep going and not give up.

Routine:

Her discipline has taught me the value of structure and routine in both my personal and work life. Her daily training routine has shown me the importance of having a structured routine in my own life. This has re-established the need to keep to a routine which will help me stay focused and achieve my goals.

Humility:

Lastly, Abigail’s attitude of respect and humility has pushed me to reset my own attitude and attention to others. Life has been kind of passing me by without much empathy or emotion.?Tae Kwon Do is an art that requires respect for your opponent, instructors, and yourself, and my daughter has embodied this philosophy. Seeing her show respect and kindness towards others, whether it's on the mat or off, has reminded me of the importance of being humble, treating others with kindness and respect, and always striving to improve myself in both my personal and professional life.

The martial arts journey has been a great experience for Abigail and has also had a profound effect on my life.?Not only am I incredibly proud of her, but I've also learned valuable life lessons from her. Her dedication, self-discipline, goal-setting, and humility have inspired me to become a better person. I am grateful for this experience and look forward to continuing to learn from her as she continues to grow on her life’s journey.