What Kung Fu Has Done For Me

For years since I was sick, I have been working to come to terms with what happened to me. Or I guess the thing that my body did to itself. Either way, I've had a lot of muddled emotions to work through, and it will be a long process still to come. I've been looking back through some of my old journal entries, and have recently had some memories come back to me of my hospital stay and soon after. It's amazing the perspective you have when you look back at something that you struggled through.

I have made a realization about what kung fu has done for me. In order to be promoted to black belt, you have to write an essay on this topic. At the time, most of the things I had gone through were not hugely trying. Sure, I've had injuries, and I've struggled with making good choices throughout my youth, but I think a lot of people go through those things, and as long as you come out on top, you've been successful. I would also say looking back that, although I had many struggles in China including some emotional abuse, I consider myself lucky to have had that opportunity and did my best to make the most of it.

But my experience with GBS has really given me a different perspective on what kung fu has done for me. After something so traumatic, it would be easy to decide that I  could no longer function the way I could before, and couldn't carry on with my normal life. It would be easy to stay on pain medications and resign myself to a lifetime of discomfort. And it would be easy to ignore the emotional and psychological impacts of my experience.

So kung fu has given me the courage to continue to push my limits. To look inwards with honesty and compassion to see where I am, and how I can continue to improve. It has helped me notice the symptoms of anxiety and made me brave enough to seek help. It has given me the motivation to care, and a community of people who are supportive and encouraging on my path of recovery. This has made me the person I am today. Capable of empathy and compassion and inspiration.