I can’t recall the exact moment it all started to change in me but it was around the 16th June 2017. Little did I know then, that I was starting an incredible journey to become a martial artist. Now… I am already an artist but in the ways of food, & colour & creation. I am today an artist of movements & mentality.
Martial Arts have taught me to flow, feel and understand myself.I have grown. Maybe not in height but in confidence, happiness, calmness, patience, love, resilience, perseverance. The list goes on. Most importantly to me, passion.
Since I was 15, I have had this strong belief that with passion, anything is possible. Here’s a quote by one of my favourite childhood authors, Roald Dahl that resonates with me; ” I began to realise how important it was to be an enthusiast if life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it & above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good” I am so deeply passionate about this journey & I have been a subject to the positives that have come from it.
I have learnt more than just myself through martial arts. I have gained knowledge about the world & who l am within it.- these 3 lessons have been the big ones.
1. Small steps are steps forward
From leaving the dojo being shown many techniques & only onning 1, to aving a bad day mentally & only coping to make the bed
2. Patience, This coincides with 1.
Coming from a fast-paced industry, there was no time for patience.
I was stressed & angry all the time.
What I’ve learnt through M. A. is that not everyone or everything is traveling at the same pace, and that’s okay.
We will get to where we need to be at the right time.
3. This one hits home. – Without risks, there is no reward
Before M.A. & AMAF I really don’t know what I was doing. One day I thought why not, and I have reaped the benefits of that risk. I was a chef for close to 10 years and was given the opportunity & took the risk to set all that I knew aside 1, do something polar opposite – We must understand that we will never now what we are capable of until we try —
I cannot say a big enough THANK YOU!
To all the incredible team & friends I have gained along the way, to the energy we all create in class, at gradings, in life.
To the laughs, punches, kicks, elbows to the face…
Thank you to the paths leading us here together & thank you for joining me on mine.
- 28 NOVEMBER 2020 •
Shawnee Mae
