Grand Master Rhee, now a 10th degree Black Belt and one of the world’s most renowned martial artists, is known as the “Father of American Tae Kwon Do”.  He introduced America to Tae Kwon Do in 1956 while studying civil engineering at the University of Texas, then moved to Washington, D. C. and opened the first professional Tae Kwon Do School on June 28, 1962.  There are now over 60 affiliated Tae Kwon Do studios in the US and 65 in the former Soviet Union. Seven Qualities of a Champion Topic: Jhoon Rhee Speaks The "Seven Qualities of a Champion" encapsulates Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee's personal philosophy about the keys to happiness, which, he believes, are created when we transform our highest ideals, thoughts, and emotions into physical action.  Martial arts are an educational tool to discipline and unite the mind and body.  Martial arts training develops seven basic physical qualities that can be transformed into corresponding human emotions that, over time, will create positive human qualities that will become engrained in our character. Master Rhee originally presented the full text of "Seven Qualities" at a Tools for Achievement seminar in Greenbelt, Maryland, on September 21, 1995.  Below is a condensed version of that original presentation, edited for context by Sifu Doyle.                                       Knowing the purpose of life is to find happiness, and the basis for happy living is a healthy                                       body.  Knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body build                                       true confidence.  If our lives embrace these three basic human qualities, we will never                                       bear the twin burdens of regret for the things that we did in our lives but know in our                                       hearts that we should not have done and those things we should have done but we did                                       not do.  If we develop this way of living, nothing will ever bother us again. A true human being is an educator not by words alone but by serving as an example to others.  The purpose of knowledge is to take action from good habits.  The martial arts are an action philosophy, and the soul of martial arts is discipline.  An individual without discipline is like a piece of steel without carbon or a tree cut off from its root. Generally, there are seven basic physical qualities developed through martial arts training.  These physical qualities can easily be transformed into their corresponding human emotions, and over time, these emotions will create positive human qualities that become ingrained as part of our character. These seven qualities of a champion are: 1. Quickness, Alertness, and Awareness of Change Mind and body must be synchronized so that thought and the resultant action become virtually one.   2. Endurance, Perseverance, and Persistence Just as development in the martial arts requires long hours of practice, success in life often requires perseverance. 3. Timing and Punctuality The discipline to respect our own use of time is one way to develop self-respect, the first step toward respect for others.  Being punctual is the first basis for success in life; it is one of the major building blocks upon which our   reputation is built. 4. Power, Knowledge, and  Strength Knowledge and wisdom are built by listening to reason and conscience.  Knowledge and wisdom are like power a student develops through practice in the martial arts: constant exercise of our abilities leads to success and happiness. 5. Balance, Rationality, and Balancing Life's Demands A balance of wisdom, good character, and health are essential to build a rational and productive life.  If our words and actions are at odds, we introduce irrationality and instability into our lives and society. 6. Flexibility, Gentleness, and Adaptability Gentleness goes hand-in-hand with flexibility, the ability to adjust and respond naturally to whatever circumstances and events we may encounter in life.  Like water, if we learn to yield to others, we can learn to work together to build a better world of truth, beauty, and love that leads to happiness. 7. Posture, Honesty, and Integrity Honesty and posture derive from balanced beauty in mind and body. Always being sincere and acting with integrity are important keys to success. The purpose of knowledge is to take action.  A great source of human energy results when we set our minds on a specific goal and set out to accomplish it.  Energy follows thought like a heat-seeking missile.  The determination to succeed will immediately be followed by the energy to succeed.  Success breeds more success. Editor's note:  I often tell just-tested Yellow Belts that if they can earn their Yellow Belt they can earn their Black Belt.  It only takes determination to succeed and the willingness to work hard.   Instructors see Jhoon Rhee's last point especially when they reflect on advanced students' progress, beginning as awkward, often out of shape White Belts, recalling their progress through the ranks as they acquired increasing self-confidence, physical conditioning, and skill in both performance and communicating with others.