Can Shyness become a Negative Force?

The first time that Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim explained this concept to me, I did not understand, "Can shyness become a negative force?"  I used to think of shyness as just a characteristic, or that shy people are just scared or weak and unable to come out of their shells.  But she helped me understand it on several levels, and over the years I have observed "shyness".

      For example, especially for would be instructors and teachers that have important things to share with people.  If they have the ability to really help others.  If they let shyness get in the way of expressing themselves in front of others, or helping others, then in my view, they are not doing their part.  They are standing by while others are in need or suffering.  In my view, that would be wrong, and becomes a negative force in your life.

As instructors, we have a responsibility to help others, and we may hold some golden nuggets to share with people that would improve their lives, but if we don’t share, and let people go on suffering when we could have helped, that is terrible.  Instead we must be brave, and fight our inner fears, so we can share our good fortune and years of training with others. 

I    If in your life, you have been lucky enough to have had a good teacher, or mentor, or coach, shouldn't we be grateful, and share our blessings with others.  I feel that responsibility, and it motivates me to be strong and more outspoken.

2.     Many people often hide behind shyness.  Many people that I have known over the years that have seemed shy, often turn out to be the wildest ones in their private lives.  They often have a wildness or behavior that they don’t want anyone to know about.  Not always, but often.  So this falls more into the category of hiding negative behavior that they are not proud of, or feel bad about.  This negative behavior often falls into the category like wild partying, drug or alcohol abuse, abuse, lying, stealing, sexual impropriety, criminal activity, etc…

After thinking about this deeply, I can remember that there were times when I was in a group setting, and I have something important to say, but I didn’t say it.  Is that shyness or is that evil?  I find myself sometimes not wanting to contribute for many reasons, or are these just excuses?  Others are talking, or I feel a little shy, or I am worried what others will think of me, but I now realize that I have to break out of that shell.  I need to realize that it is a sin to let those petty reasons prevent me from speaking out.  I have to break whatever it is that holds me back, and be bold, and with good intentions try to help others.  Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim reminded me that Jesus called it, “feed the sheep”.  These are our brothers and sisters.  If we have something good to share, don’t keep it bottled up. 

Thank you Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim, for showing me the light, helping me to be a better and more giving person.

Dr. Tae Yun Kim receiving Gold Medal at Stevie Awards 2017.

Core Values & Purpose:

Core Values and Purpose:

What are your core values?  Did you ever think about that? 

In the past, I know I haven't.  But this is a new year, and I have been in strategy meetings.

In order to think about strategy, you must think about your core values and purpose first.

We do this for businesses every year, but what about us personally? 

Here are some lines to help define Core Values:

• You do not create or set core values.  You discover core values.

• You do not deduce it by looking outside.  You understand it by looking inside.

• Ideology has to be authentic.  You cannot fake it.

• Discovering core values is not an intellectual exercise. 

• Do not ask, what core values should we hold?

• Ask, what core values do we truly hold.

I have been a student of Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim for over 30 years.  What are my core values?

I think about Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim's life experiences, and who she is at the core.

She motivates me and inspires me.  I have watched her face so many obstacles.  I remember she entrusted her whole company to a loyal student.  It seemed to go good for awhile, but the student’s ego grew, and finally decided that he wanted more.  He wanted to take over the business and throw Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim out of the business.  What a terrible thing.  She gave him such an opportunity, and yet he tried to stab her in the back.  He ran negative internet campaigns, and stole technology, and opened a competing business.  Then he conspired with another company to buy Dr. Tae Yun Kim out.  He even went to her and told her the following:

We have more money than you.  We can buy your suppliers.  We can buy your distributors.  We can buy your employees.  Give up while you can. 

It was enough to scare anyone.  But Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim said, “no way, I would rather go die first”.  Go ahead, take your best shot.  

 Dr. Tae Yun Kim fought for the next few years, and saved her company, and came out on top.  It shows her core spirit.   To fight for what is right.  To have a positive “Can Do” spirit.  To have the indomitable spirit of overcoming – He Can Do, She Can Do, Why Not Me!!!.  

I will forever be inspired.  thank you very much.

Tapping into your Inner Power

No matter how good a martial artist you are, when your life is in danger, you will need to quickly tap into your inner power.  Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim wrote a book on Seven Steps to Inner Power.  It is a great book, that really inspired me to dive into who I am, and to take charge of my life.  To be the master of my life, and to be the best I can be.  Dr. Kim outlines the 7 Steps to Inner Power.  I have read the book several times, and each time, I develop a deeper understanding.   I used this energy to drive me to become a martial arts Grandmaster, and to be successful in my career.  I used to read articles on people that were overachievers, but I didn't know how to get there myself.   Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim connected me my inner spirit, and the knowledge that I am a co-creater.  She taught me that my mind is stronger than I can imagine, and with the right thoughts, I can manifest my life and things around me.  I can take control.  What an awesome feeling.

Just like an Olympic athlete.  You have to be able to set your sights high, and be ready to commit yourself to this goal.  The same commitment is needed to become a very special martial artist.  This needs to come from deep inside you.  In your daily practice, you must practice tapping into this great source of energy.  Workout hard, and learn meditation.  Meditation at first is relaxing and makes you feel good.  But advanced meditation takes you deeper into your soul and connects you with your inner power.  And more advanced meditation allows you to manifest and use this power.  Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim taught me all of this.  Also, practice Ki-up'ing loudly.  What you practice is what you will do in reality.  You don't want to face your attacker with a soft sounding voice.  You need to develop your energy.  In advanced training, even your ki-up can stop an attacker.  Don't under estimate your energy.  Visualize yourself in a desperate situation.  Typically when you really need this great source of energy, there is no planning.  The connection needs to come from your subconscious.  So learn to tap into this great source of energy, and use it to drive your techniques and purpose.

Don't let anyone rob your goals.  Train hard and learn.  Why not?  Its all for you.  :)

The 3rd Eye

Many people when they first start training give away where they are going to attack, before they even attack.  How, usually by intensely looking at their target.  Your leg, or stomach, or head, etc… they look first and then they attack.  But this gives your opponent more time to react, plan, block, and get out of the way.  In other words it makes your attacks less effective and in some cases even useless.

They are so busy looking at your body, that they could be missing the bigger picture.  My master ( Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim ) recommends looking at a spot on the forehead between the eyes (This is called the 3rd eye, or anjun).   Dr. Tae Yun Kim also recommends learning the technique of “looking softly, but seeing everywhere".  Normally when you look intently at something, all your focus goes there, and that is all you really see.  But if you learn to look at your opponent’s anjun, “looking softly”, and open your awareness at the same time, you can learn to see the person’s whole body, even though it looks like you are looking into their eyes.  You can be aware of there every movement.  It takes practice and time to be able to do this, but it will help you tremendously.  It is like driving to drive a car, and you want to look at the brake or the accelerator.  That would be silly, but the martial arts is very similar. 

Another big advantage, is you can see into their eyes, without looking into their eyes.  This allows you to keep your emotions from getting dominated, but you can see their emotions as they change.  Are they angry, or calm, or frustrated, etc…  Their eyes are the gateway into their mind and soul, so as you get better and better at this, you can tell a lot about your opponent as the fight continues.  You can prevent them from seeing into your mind, but you can penetrate into theirs.  This is a very advanced technique, and takes years to perfect, but why wait?  If you are serious about self-defense you should know about this, and start to practice right away.  It takes years to develop, and the more you practice the more you will see.   As you get better and better you can even jump to another level and see your opponent's energy.  But remember, if you don’t really practice, and seek to improve and discover, it won’t help you.  

Have a great day, and always strive to be the best you can be.  :) 

Every man dies, not every man really lives..

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim teaches us this strong fighting spirit at the Jung Suwon Martial Art Academy.  She teaches to find our inner strength and to be strong.  Dr. Tae Yun Kim teaches us to be loving and kind to others, but to have backbone and ethics and stand our ground for what is right.  The story of Braveheart, and William Wallace is a heart touching story, of man dedicated to help Scotland fight for its freedom.  When the odds were impossible, he never gave up.  It was like he was training in Jung Suwon Martial Arts Academy.  There, Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim teaches us the spirit and art of challenge and overcoming.  When we have a positive purpose in our hearts, and we fight for what is right, we can accomplish the impossible.

Dr. Kim always teaches her motto, "He can do, She can do, Why not me!"  which came from Mathew - Peter walking on water.  see: http://jungsuwon-instructor.blogspot.com/2012/03/origins-of-he-can-do-she-can-do-why-not.html

When I first saw Braveheart, I was most impressed by the power of its battle sequences; after seven years, I am most impressed by the enduring power of its story. It is a great movie because it seriously argues that one man's lifelong personal experiences and struggle can make a difference, if not in the world then at least in the lives of others, it is a great movie because it is ultimately an inspiring story of perseverance in the face of considerable brutality and heartbreak, greatness because a thousand words are not adequate to express all of its emotional power and impact. I do not have the heart to give Braveheart less than a perfect score, even if I wished, because it is much more to me than mere entertainment...It is a constant reminder to me that I must never lose heart, to stand up for what one believes in, to be true to ones self.

"You have bled with Wallace...now bleed with me!"

Thank you Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim for standing up and fighting, when it would be so easy to run or compromise.  You fight for what is right.  You live your live with honor, love, and strength.  To me, that is what life is all about.  Thank you for your books and teachings, like "Seven Steps to Inner Power".  It is an honor to be your student. :)

Time to Harvest the Fruit in Our Lives

Many times during my training Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim has shared the story of the apple farmer with us.   After hearing the story, I always felt like I wanted to be a great apple farmer.  I wanted to work hard, and dedicate my life to produce a fruit that we can all be proud of.  Especially myself.  The same goes for cherries.

I didn't want to be the farmer that threw the seeds among rocks and expected cherries to grow.
I didn't want to be the farmer that planted seeds in dirt, but soon after got frustrated on how long it takes to grow a tree.
I didn't want to be the farmer, that sees the first cherry tree growing, but gets frustrated there is still no fruit.
I didn't want to be the farmer that finally gets a tree and sees cherries , but beats them down from the tree, and ruins them in the process.
I didn't want to be the farmer that lies under the cherry tree waiting for the cherries to fall into my mouth.
I want to be the patient cherry farmer that works hard, has a purpose and puts my heart and soul into accomplishing something very special in life, and can eventually see the fruits of my efforts.

Thank you Lord for giving us such a wonderful life.
Thank you Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim for striving to wake us up to the beauty around us.
Thank you for striving to give my appreciation and gratitude in my life.
I love this life and want to share it with others.

Please bless Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim with health, wisdom and strength to help many others in this world.  Thank you Lord and God Bless us all.

Don't Blame Others. Learn From Your Experiences.

The following is some very wise advice from Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim:
Often times students training at Jung SuWon Martial arts will complain, "that person kicked me", or "it was their fault, not mine".

For many people there is a natural tendency to blame others, and not take responsibility for their own actions. As an instructor, them to think differently, by asking some simple questions. Why did I get hit? Could I have moved out of the way? Could I have blocked better? If I trained more, could I have been better prepared? Was my attitude the best it could have been?

Help teach the students that they should re-direct that natural tendency to "blame others" into positive energy, towards self-examination and self-improvement. This will maximize the student's experience, help to motivate them more, and in the long run, this will make the "process" of training and learning a much more productive and enjoyable experience.

Remember, "enjoy the path". Learn to make your "path" more enjoyable, more productive, more educational, more motivational, and ultimately more deeply satisfying.
Jung Su!