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Links Asheville Academy of TaeKwonDo |
Dan Blackstock, GM Y.S. Chung, Richard Tener, Robbie Roberts, David Frayer |
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Courtesy Integrity Perseverance Self Control Indomitable Spirit
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Mr. David Frayer Back in 1988, I joined the U.S. Coast Guard. During my enlistment I began my career as an instructor of sorts by mentoring wayward kids through the SeaScouts Program and teaching Women & Children basic self defense. Since then I have been proud to serve my instructor, mentor, and friend Mr. Richard Tener. It is because of his teachings (and many others) that I am able and qualified to own "Frayer's TaeKwonDo". I have found that Taekwondo is more than a bunch of kicking and punching, and greater than a system of self defense and exercise. It is a family working together to improve the quality of life, in all aspects of the human condition. During the process of certifying as an instructor, it is required that we write an essay on a predetermined subject. I decided to write on the subject of "My Goal and profile as an Instructor". So, to the President and Grand Master of the ATF I humbly wrote the following essay. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "My Goal and Profile as an Instructor" An essay for myself is, let's just say, a little daunting. While telling a sea story may be a little more comforting, and a heck of a lot more entertaining, it doesn't really say who I am.
I could start this off with my goal and profile, both in Taekwondo and life, is simply "To Serve" and be content with that answer alone. But I guess it could use a little explanation, because "To Serve" has become farther reaching than I could have ever dreamt.
The year is 1988, I'm a year out of high school, bored with my present life and watching TV with a friend, and then it happened! "THE U.S. Coast Guard NEEDS HERO'S LIKE YOU!!!" as the Ad. proclaimed. A long story short... Six months later I'm bobbing like a cork during a full-on hurricane in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a dingy of a boat wondering, "is this what it means to serve?". Hundreds of cases later, a chest full of ribbons, and many lives saved along the way I began to proudly understand the meaning of "service" or at least so I thought.
Sing along with me!!! The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew... You remember that song right? Well on a case during a bad storm one of the engines of the boat I was driving caught fire, the seas were 20 foot plus, and while coming in to the most dangerous pass in the Gulf of Mexico it happened, a giant wave grabbed us like a rag doll and basically had it's way with us. This was the third time that I had nearly lost my life and I figured "well, third times a charm", and it was this thought that abruptly ended my Coast Guard active duty. And come to think of it, I do remember saying "NOW I'VE SERVED!".
Some years later in Florida, I was most fortunate to meet a man who helped people understand themselves. Quickly he became a friend and mentor to me. Oh! please excuse my rudeness. John was his name, and John started to teach me the fundamentals of what I've known as "The house rules". Over time I began to truly understand what "Service" really meant, I learned that it wasn't just the big acts of "Service" that were important but the little ones as well. And it wasn't how well you boasted of "Service" but instead how you quietly lived as an example of "Service" to all who's paths cross.
I know it sounds like I was getting ready to join a monastery or something, but really... Me?... In a monastery? Like that was going to happen. But when I realized the importance of what I had learned about "Service" I did make a promise to myself to live in the accordance of the house rules and "Serve", although this was the single toughest decision I have ever made it was also the best. Now I was posed with a real dilemma of a question, How... Do I serve others? And in what way?
I lingered in Florida for a couple more years learning all that I could when a friend of mine told me that their contractor had just run out with their money and were in desperate need of someone to finish the house in North Carolina. Being in the business of building houses, I said "I'm here to Serve ma'am", then ran to the nearest phone booth put on my cape and mask and proceeded to Asheville in typical super hero style. Now pay attention cause here's where I start getting to the point. In Asheville things started going very wrong, literally the day I got here, and they steadily decreased till all I had was just myself and a very small handful of friends.
It's sing-a-long time again... No phone, no lights, no motorcar, not a single luxury... Yes it's that song again. Well I'd hit rock bottom and I had lost sight of "Serving others" altogether. Then by chance or fate (your choice) I met Mr. Tener and started taking Taekwondo, physically it was tougher than I wanted at that time and I probably would have quit if it wasn't for something very minute he had shown me, and I couldn't quite place my finger on it, he wasn't interested in my money cause, I didn't have any, then it dawned on me he was showing me what it was like to "Serve others" in the manner I explained earlier. Later at tournaments and even at my first summer camp others were quietly showing me what it meant to "Serve" first Mr. Blackstock and Mr. Wilson then soon Mr. Yi and Mrs. Mitchell, and especially after watching Master Chung working with the kids. My lesson in "Service" had truly come full circle and had been realized. To this day the benefits of the lessons shown still shower me with monster smile.
I could babble on about my personal goals as a martial artist, and how I hope to get better... Yada, yada, yada... But for myself I have only one goal, to continue to "Serve" regardless of how great or small that "Service" is, and regardless of my personal circumstances. It's not the easiest way to live and sometimes not the most fun, but nothing worth while is ever easy. Taekwondo in general, has given me the forum to pass this lesson, and many other lessons, on to the students and following both the "House rules" and the Tenants of Taekwondo I feel it's my duty. I think with this goal alone I'll have my hands full for years to come. As long as I have people in my life like Mr. Tener and others "Service" will never be a drudgery, just a benefit to savor.
The "House Rules" state that; If something is given it must be returned not just to the one who gave it originally, but to all, so it may be benefited by all. -Unknown-
Sincerely, David L. Frayer Chief Instructor Frayer's Taekwondo
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