The Importance of Karate in My Identity Personal Essay Example

Kenneth L. Pike once elaborated, “Identity in the form of continuity of personality is an extremely important characteristic of the individual.” When one hears the word identity, the only thoughts that seem to appear are those of culture, color, race, religion, interests, and talents. However, the most significant part of my identity that I would proudly display on my dignified college application is not merely of a hobby or something I enjoy, but in fact, is a way of life: karate. Overall, karate serves a meaningful purpose to my identity because it plays a critical role in developing significant and necessary future qualities, creates a stronger and well-rounded character, and finally, it teaches me how to face life's obstacles from a lensed and enhanced perspective. 

Specifically, karate deserves a prestigious position in my college application and identity because it sets a foundation for the development of primary future qualities. As I am a pivotal part of this growing generation, I, like any other adolescent my age, lack the essential traits needed to fulfill success in life and adequately grow and evolve as an individual. However, with the introduction of martial arts into my world, I have been able to experience and understand the significance of qualities such as self-discipline and respect and also ease into developing pivotal character traits. Every day, when I step into my martial arts school, there is always a set structure built into the sport and a specific set of qualities that are gradually instilled into me as a karate student. In such a setting, I am inclined to adhere to the rules of the sport and learn to practice self-control, as a clear and stable mind is key to order, not just in the sport, but in applying the skill within my personal life as well. Furthermore, apart from establishing order and discipline in my overall personality, martial arts also guide me through one of the most critical qualities needed to evolve as a mature and fully developed individual: respect. In the karate dojo, as a karate student, I am taught to bow to those of a higher rank and treat all of my classmates with regard. If I was to disrupt the class, misbehave, or use a sarcastic tone with my instructors or those around me, punishments, including dismission from the session, are instituted. Although I certainly am only required of this in my martial arts school, a sense of repetition automatically forms similar respectfulness in my daily routine, whether in a school, home, or socially friendly setting. Generally, karate represents a dignified position in both my identity and college application as it signifies the gradual development of significant qualities, including self-discipline and respect. 

Concurrently, martial arts represents my identity and proudly stands on my college application because it establishes a stronger and well-rounded character. Throughout the adolescent years of my life, I have encountered various failures deterring my self-esteem and confidence, including coming last in my track meets every time or being unable to solve an experiment despite being the valedictorian of my class; however, I have never been able to find the solution to overcoming these failures and continuing to persevere. Nevertheless, the commencement of karate at the age of twelve has allowed me to establish an emotionally strong mentality and successfully battle the challenges that impede my determination and dedicated perseverance. Whenever I begin my karate session in my martial arts school, I experience ultimate victory because every class is a prestigious opportunity to build character and establish a new and more enhanced individual by improving in the sport of karate. Extending the boundaries of my comfort zone through martial arts has instilled a stronger sense of self-esteem and confidence inside and outside the karate dojo. Moreover, when beginning the sport of karate, it seemed to me that the beginning levels were easy to achieve, simple and basic to cut through. Yet, as I grew from one belt to another, it became more and more challenging to reach the next step on the pyramid. This increasing difficulty established a “stick with it” ideal  and motivated me to further persevere and achieve the highest degree in the hierarchy; this repetitive mindset inside the karate dojo eventually began to instill itself into my general life, allowing me to overcome growing adversity. Altogether, karate is a significant part of my identity and has a dignified position on my college application because it creates a more evolved and enhanced character through increased confidence and the development of a persevering mindset.