Bowing out

[karatekid1975]

Hiya all.

This may be a shock to some folks, but I have decided to bow out of MA. It's been a long time coming. I havn't trained that much since febuary (15 classes at most). The new dojang was/is nice. They train like I want, but I just lost the passion for MA. Finding this new dojang was an attept to get that back, but it didn't work. I think the best thing is to let it go. Maybe someday the passion will return. But, for now, I'll just cheer on my other half who is still in it.

I'll still pop in on MT to visit with my MT buds, though.

[Andy Moynihan]

I've been where you're at, don't worry, eventually it does come back. Good luck.:)

[matt.m]

Laurie,

I remember how happy you were to find this new place. Everyone goes through what you are at some point.

It is all good, take your time. You will be back.

Later,

Matt

[stone_dragone]

Bestd of luck in what ever you choose to do. You'll probably get the itch again, though...

[Flying Crane]

Well that is disappointing, but you need to do what is right for you. I have had times when I have drifted away from the arts for a time, only to come back a year or so later. I recently rejoined my capoeira school after an absence of about 8 years, while I studied kung-fu. It is good to be back.

Keep an open mind. The spark may come back for you someday, maybe you just need to be away for awhile to find it. Do what you feel is right. All the best.

[Xue Sheng]

Been there... well... am there.

Sometimes it is just best to take a break, it has helped me immensely.

[Kacey]

Forcing yourself to do something you feel no passion for is a way to ensure you never do feel passion for it. Take some time off, try new things; if it is meant to be that you return, then you will. Keep us updated on how things are going for you.

[terryl965]

That is a shame I have always thought you had a passion for the Art side, in time it will resourvice and then your journey will begin again
Terry

[Gemini]

Well, we've been down this road a few times, haven't we? :) This time, I'm just going to offer you best wishes in whatever you choose to pursue. There's always room for you if/when you decide to return.

Highest Regards,

Gemini

[IcemanSK]

Laurie:

While I'm sorry to hear that you're bowing out, I think its good that you're doing what's best for you. Kacey's right, if you don't enjoy it, you'll be miserable.

You're always welcome here.:)

[Fluffy]

Take a break, discover a new hobby, give it time. Good Luck to you.

[karatekid1975]

Thanks all :) I feel loved :)

I wouldn't leave MT. You guys have been so supportive through my "ups" and "downs." So, I'll still be here, and return the favor (support) when needed ;) Thanks so much, all.

[Touch Of Death]

I wish you well.
sean

[Spookey]

Dear Sir,

Sorry to get in late, havent been posting very often, but I wanted to wish you the best.

Follow your heart...regardless of where you find yourself you will know the road was true!

TAEKWON!
Spookey

[Miles]

Good luck! One of the beautiful things about the martial arts is that they can be enjoyed at any age. In the future, you may find yourself thinking how great it would be feel to be back on the mat. And, you won't be too old!

Take Care,

Miles

[evenflow1121]

Youz'll be back, they always come back, seriously though may be you do need a break albeit long term even. I am glad you are not leaving MT you are one of the positive voices here.

[shesulsa]

Take some time off ... occasionally play in other arts ... be true to yourself.

[Ceicei]

Laurie,

Good luck! Follow your heart in doing what you need/want to do. If you don't come back to TKD, that is ok. If you do return, that is also ok. Either way, I support you in your decision.

- Ceicei

[cali_tkdbruin]

Kid'75, sorry to hear your news. Hope you find the passion again for TKD and the MAs soon... :asian:

[Last Fearner]

Sorry Laurie...... I'm going to offer a different opinion, and say don't do that. It is not uncommon for someone at your rank to become bored, or lose their ambition, and motivation. I suggest re-analyzing why you began training in the first place, and what your goals are. What do you benefit from training? What would make it more interesting to you?

If necessary, talk to your instructor about this. If you have, talk again! If no progress is made, consider reducing the frequency of your training, but the moment you stop, you will begin to break the habit, and the chances of you returning will diminish with each passing week. If things are not working out at your new school (even if you think they are) you might consider looking for a different instructor or school to find the spark you need.

I was taught as a student, and I still teach my students, five tenets of Taekwondo by which you live your life:

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance *(NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER QUIT)
Self Control
Indomitable Spirit (NO MATTER THE OBSTACLE, KEEP YOUR SPIRIT STRONG)

To me, these are not just words on a paper hand-out, or part of an answer you recite in class, or at a test. These are the guidelines by which you conduct your life - - In ALL circumstances! In tough times, as well as easy. Focus - - look inside yourself - - find the drive, and desire, and keep the dream alive. Set your goals and continue to strive for them! Passion is great, and you should strive to get it back, but just because you haven't found it yet, don't give up the search, or hope it will return someday.

Your Martial Art training is not a "hobby" to be taken lightly, or easily traded for stamp collecting. It is a way of life (for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, till death do us part) Stick it out, and see if you feel differently in 6 months time. I believe you will be glad you did. :)

If I have to, I'll come out there to New York, or wherever you are, and put the spark back in you girl!!! lol :lol:

Chief Master D.J. Eisenhart

[MRE]

Whatever you choose is a good decision, as long as you think it is. Have fun!

[arnisador]

Boredom happens. I wouldn't be surprised to see you back in it at some point. Good luck!

[karatekid1975]

Hey all.

It's not boredom. I have tried for the past 6 months to stick it out, even finding a new school to try to get the passion back. It's just not there. It's gone. I feel like I am wasting what I busted my arse for (technique), but, it really doesn't bother me to quit.

Thanks all for your kind words. Don't worry, I'll still be on MT :)

[IcemanSK]

Hey all.

It's not boredom. I have tried for the past 6 months to stick it out, even finding a new school to try to get the passion back. It's just not there. It's gone. I feel like I am wasting what I busted my arse for (technique), but, it really doesn't bother me to quit.

Thanks all for your kind words. Don't worry, I'll still be on MT :)

What about your Jiu Jistu? Are you still going to be doing that?

[Drac]

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do..The best of luck in whatever you do..Me thinks you will return...

[karatekid1975]

What about your Jiu Jistu? Are you still going to be doing that?

As of now, no. My instructor took the summer off.

[karatekid1975]

Ok, it's "official." I met with the manager of my old dojang. I bought out the contract, and had an "exit interview." The new dojang, I just told them that I will be out for a while.

It is kinda sad to leave "officially." But I may return to training one day. I may just break out the old tapes, pop them in the VCR, and train a bit here and there to see if my "itch" returns to go back to training. We'll see.

[Drac]

May the itch be with you ALWAYS...

[karatekid1975]

LOL. Yea, hopefully.

[stingg]

Good luck, I appreciate the help you've given me, and I hope the future holds only good things for you!

[terryl965]

Once it is in your blood always in the blood.
Terry
Best of luck.

[karatekid1975]

Once it is in your blood always in the blood.
Terry
Best of luck.

Good point Terry. I don't think I'll totally leave MA. I mean, the stuff I learned that was drilled into my brain and reflexes will always be there. So will the disipline, confidence, and self esteem.

I still want to practice my forms. But as far as training at a dojang, I really don't know. I was turned off by politics, money, and BS. Unless I really find a dojang that hit me like my TSD dojang (in NJ), but here in NY. Not the style per-say (sp?), but the dojang itself. No BS, just train hard. I can do that on my own without the crap.

[Brad Dunne]

Your too close to your Dan Ranking. If you want to take a rest, take it after you have reached that level. Once you become a Black Belt, your a Black Belt. Trying to come back at the gup level will almost always have you going backwards in time and money. I think your last post really let thru your true feelings, "tired of all the BS and Politics". We have all been there at one time or another. Finish this part of the journey, otherwise I fear you will have a major regret that will only serve to frustrate you in the future.

:asian:

[Flying Crane]

I still want to practice my forms. But as far as training at a dojang, I really don't know. I was turned off by politics, money, and BS. Unless I really find a dojang that hit me like my TSD dojang (in NJ), but here in NY. Not the style per-say (sp?), but the dojang itself. No BS, just train hard. I can do that on my own without the crap.

I kind of agree with Brad Dunne. if you can, finish you black belt, then step back for a while and decide what you need. I have spent years at a time practicing by myself, mostly doing forms and heavybag work. Find what you like best about it and find your own motivation. Do things your own way.

Later, I have found new teachers and new arts that inspired me to get more heavily involved. But that training time spent alone is tremendously valuable. Even if you never join another school, that stuff that you have learned belongs to you and you can practice on your own terms. Even when I have belonged to a school, I have still spent a lot of time training by myself, because for me it is a personal journey and I tend to not be the "joining" type of person.

Maybe you need a new teacher. Some teachers are very low-profile, don't belong to big organizations, don't have political issues, and just love to teach and train. Often, if they do use a ranking system, it is heavily downplayed and not given much attention. If you found someone like this, regardless of the style taught, you might find yourself a lot happier with the arrangement, and much happier with the training. This is the kind of relationship I have with my kung fu sifu, and I like it a lot. He doesn't pressure me into anything, and my own development depends on my own motivation. he just teaches me what he feels I am ready for, and what I am ready for depends on my own motivation to train.

Take a break if you need to, but finish your black belt if you can. then reassess your needs and desires and go from there. All the best, I am sure at some point you will figure it out. The final result may be a surprise to you, and you end up exactly where you never expected to be. http://martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

[karatekid1975]

I kinda agree, but I don't want my BB here. It's not about MA. It's about politics and money. If I get my BB, it will be through a dojang that cares about technique, and martial arts. I don't mind a dojang trying to earn enough to keep the doors open, ect. But this dojang is all about money and politic BS. I DON'T want to test for my BB here.

Flying, my jujitsu instructor is very laid back. No org, or nothing. I wanna still train with him, but he wanted me to get my BB in TKD first (something about a BB would understand mentally more or something ... he teaches a very brutal art of jujitsu). But, I don't want it. He may still teach me. We'll see.

[Shaolinwind]

Hiya all.

This may be a shock to some folks, but I have decided to bow out of MA. It's been a long time coming. I havn't trained that much since febuary (15 classes at most). The new dojang was/is nice. They train like I want, but I just lost the passion for MA. Finding this new dojang was an attept to get that back, but it didn't work. I think the best thing is to let it go. Maybe someday the passion will return. But, for now, I'll just cheer on my other half who is still in it.

I'll still pop in on MT to visit with my MT buds, though.

I'd be a hipocrite to chastize you. But I encourage you to change to a different art or something before you leave.

You're karate kid, fine, you can get your MT name changed... Go Kung Fu.. Go Kenpo.. Go Arnis. Go somewhere. I beg you to reconsider.

[karatekid1975]

I'd be a hipocrite to chastize you. But I encourage you to change to a different art or something before you leave.

You're karate kid, fine, you can get your MT name changed... Go Kung Fu.. Go Kenpo.. Go Arnis. Go somewhere. I beg you to reconsider.

I'm actually looking, believe it or not. There's a rumor that my old Judo instructor is back at the YMCA. I have to confirm that, though. And I would like to stay with Jujitsu, but that's up in the air right now.

[Marginal]

You might consider looking for a rankless system. I have a feeling you'd go forever in such an environment.

[pstarr]

By all means - don't throw out the baby with the bathwater! You still have much to learn. You started walking the martial path - so don't stop and give up! Find another guide...

[karatekid1975]

Update all. It's good news. I thought alot about what you all said here, and I have talked to my friend Heidi many times when I have MA "troubles." There's some stuff she said that didn't sink in till later. But finally it has ... after a month ... Sorry Heidi, that it took so long.

Anyways, the good news is that I am going back to the ITF school that I mentioned on here a few times two days a week to get my "feet wet" again in MA. I'm going to take it easy at first, learn my new forms, and see what happens. Wish me luck http://www.karateforums.com/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Xue Sheng]

That's great, Good luck

Sometimes all you need is time off.

[IcemanSK]

Update all. It's good news. I thought alot about what you all said here, and I have talked to my friend Heidi many times when I have MA "troubles." There's some stuff she said that didn't sink in till later. But finally it has ... after a month ... Sorry Heidi, that it took so long.

Anyways, the good news is that I am going back to the ITF school that I mentioned on here a few times two days a week to get my "feet wet" again in MA. I'm going to take it easy at first, learn my new forms, and see what happens. Wish me luck http://www.karateforums.com/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Glad you're back, Laurie!:-partyon:

[matt.m]

I am glad to hear of your decision. Welcome back.http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

[karatekid1975]

Thanks all :) It'll be slow at first, but I'm sure I'll get back to the MA swing. I'll keep you updated.

[Carol]

Thanks all :) It'll be slow at first, but I'm sure I'll get back to the MA swing. I'll keep you updated.

Nothing wrong with slow :)

So glad to hear you are going back! Wish you good luck and good fortune!

[terryl965]

Update all. It's good news. I thought alot about what you all said here, and I have talked to my friend Heidi many times when I have MA "troubles." There's some stuff she said that didn't sink in till later. But finally it has ... after a month ... Sorry Heidi, that it took so long.

Anyways, the good news is that I am going back to the ITF school that I mentioned on here a few times two days a week to get my "feet wet" again in MA. I'm going to take it easy at first, learn my new forms, and see what happens. Wish me luck http://www.karateforums.com/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Glad you decided to stay, you're the man or Karate Kid I shoulds say.
Terry

[karatekid1975]

Glad you decided to stay, you're the man or Karate Kid I shoulds say.
Terry

Is a woman ;) hehehehehe, but thanks ;)