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I began the Martial Art, Tae Kwon Do, when I was 57 years old. This martial art turned out to be an extraordinary journey for me which included surprise, delight and personal awakening. Most importantly, Tae Kwon Do saved my marriage!

If you are wondering how could this happen, then sit back and relax, and I will reveal to you exactly what I am referring to.

My journey into martial arts afforded me several vital lessons which served as a solid foundation for my personal transition to becoming a much wiser and happier man.

Just before I enrolled in martial arts, I was constantly trying to think about ways to add some zest or more adventure and enthusiasm into my life.

Periodically, I would often visit my mother on my way home from work.

The car route I took to get to her apartment passed by a Tae Kwon Do school. Slowly my curiosity about this school became peaked. I began visualizing and fantasizing about myself performing martial arts. You know what I am talking about don't you? I was becoming the Bruce Lee of my own fantasies.

One day, I decided, "why not" ? Before I realized it, I was signing up for a trial, one week course in Tae Kwon Do. Well, after the one week trial of stretching, kicking and yelling, I realized I wanted to give this martial art an honest try. So I immediately became a serious student of Tae Kwon Do.

My weekly schedule involved, three lessons. I was challenged with learning all kinds of Korean terminology and the other stuff which a Tae Kwon Do student deals with. Like things pertaining to the school culture and history. Yes, I was in a Traditional school and subsequently, I was being indoctrinated into the business of showing respect to all students. Learning the tenants of Tae Kwon Do, how to bow with respect to other students, and even how to shake hands by showing respect with the proper grip.

This probably sounds like a little bit too much for some of you hard core cynics out there. But, I was determined to learn this Art and I wasn't going to let anything stop me. I mean, like how do you think I felt about all of these seemingly new and different requirements being imposed on me? Here I was, a very salty middle aged ex-Marine being instructed by people almost half of my age. You guessed it. My ego was getting a real challenge!

Not only did I have to contend with learning some very new and different customs, I soon found myself being challenged on other fronts. Namely, during one of my lessons, the class was being

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