Belonging

Alina Ali
September 11, 2019
English IV AP
Harrison

I walked into the doors and my eyes were overwhelmed by everything I saw. I can't think of one singular word to describe my initial experience, but one thing I knew for sure was that I did not belong in a martial arts studio. I couldn't picture myself in those uniforms nor with that much strength and confidence, but the future can surprise you.

I am a firm believer that you can not belong somewhere that hasn't positively shaped you and has allowed you to grow as a person, or as a student, or as an athlete etc. Undeniably, I belong in this country, I belong in my school, I belong to my friend groups, but those aren't more prevalent in my mind when I picture the word "belonging". The first thing I think, aside from my family, is that I belong in a martial arts studio, more specifically, Victory Martial Arts. My first day as a martial artist to where I am now, I have continually grown as a person, and I can't imagine being the same person I am without the people and the commitment from Victory.

My first tournament, I was so nervous to say the least, but people I had never even met before reassured me that I belong where I am and I have no reason to be worried. They called all the first, second and third degrees to begin their rings in the competition and I looked in the stands and I was the only non-black belt in the gym. That feeling was short-lived as a judge, who I had never met nor spoken to before, called me and asked me to help in his ring. I explained that I had never done scoring or attended a tournament, but he insisted that my experience and my rank are irrelevant. If I can make the commitment to come to a tournament, then I belong here. Instantly, my confidence in myself grew and it continues to grow as new challenges emerge. I belong in a martial arts studio, because the sport is what shaped me to be confident in myself and my ability. I belong in a martial arts studio because I learned what failure actually means. I belong in a martial arts studio because I found the true definition of progress in my years of training. I can't think of one singular word to describe my overall experience, but one thing I know for sure is that I do belong in martial arts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FOOD!!

Image
Alina Ali Block 3 12 November 2019 Tandoori chicken, lamb chops, chicken roast, beef kebabs - these all give me a taste of home in England through the amazing, aromatic, and flavorful memories of my grandmother’s Eid dinner. When I close my eyes and picture the best meal I have ever had, my mind races to every Eid dinner I’ve had with my family in England. Every smell, every bite, every flavor and every aroma is embedded in your mind even after the meal is over. Food holds a special place in my heart because it is a physical connection from the past to the present and it is a celebration of community.   Over half a century ago, my grandmother left Pakistan and emigrated to England, leaving her home, her family and parts of her culture behind. Her past was Pakistan and her future was England. Eid, specifically Eid dinner, created a bridge to link those two worlds. Eid dinner in Pakistan was a community effort and a community celebration. Kids would bring basket...
Read more

Space

Image
Alina Ali Harrison 29 January 2020 On a summer day at the beach with my feet sinking in the sand and the tide inching forward and foaming at the shore, I look out at the seemingly endless ocean as the deep and calming blue approaches the horizon miles off in the distance. When I think of space, I think of a place that is unexplored and carries a sense of illusion and I am brought back to these memories of the ocean.  The ocean is a mystery to all, except those who inhabit it. When I hear the seagulls squawking above and the smell of the salty seawater as I approach the tide, I can’t help but think of the unknown that resides under the blue waves. There is some that has been discovered, but most has not and will not ever be uncovered. How deep is the seafloor? What animal resides there? These are still a question mark - there is no answer - much like the ocean itself.  There are theories of the origin of the world just as there are theories of the depths of th...
Read more