Journeys
My Hero
By Linda Bustamante

Linda Bustamante with her hero, Richard Bustamante

In our world today, children often identify sports heroes as men or women with the best averages, numerous cuts and bruises or colossal strength. As a child, Martial Arts senseis and students are often filed under these stereotypical categories, leaving no room for the reality of it all. Each match I watched became laced with blood, sweat and tears wrapped into sore muscles and outer fatigue. However, it was at the ripe age of eight that my father, Richard Bustamante, changed my view of the Martial Arts. As he trained me, I slowly realized that being a hero wasn’t measured by physical fitness, winning or losing matches… but by the strength in your heart for believing in what you love.

To fully understand my journey, we would have to start with the basics. My name is Linda Marie Bustamante, and I am from Mission, Texas. For those of you not familiar with the town, we are located at the southern tip of Texas, approximately four hours South of San Antonio. Even though we might not have a plethora of resources like the larger cities, we surely make up for it with our friendly nature and hearts of gold. Growing up in a small town does have its advantages and disadvantages, but I have learned that every cloud has a silver lining and life is merely what you make of it no matter where you are.

This is where my father and his determination to instill the true essence of the Martial Arts come into the picture. Although being a Martial Artist does include a variety of rough and brutal combinations, my father skillfully demonstrated to me that there is much more to the sport than the physical aspect at tournaments or often seen in the media. The core of the Martial Arts would come from the inner workings of my inner psyche, allowing me to develop strength, character, positive focal points, hard work ethics and discipline. As I traveled the road into adulthood, my dedication and enthusiasm for the Martial Arts flourished with me, and my father always knew that one day his student would eventually become a teacher. Every day I feel blessed and honored to still have such an optimistic influence within my grasp and I unquestionably will never take him for granted.

Presently I am proud to say that I am an eighteen year old Goju Ryu Japanese first degree black belt and a distinguished World Black Belt member. Using the virtues instilled in me by my father, I worked vigorously in high school to gratefully receive a scholarship that will cover all of my Undergraduate Studies at The University of Texas-Pan American and graduated midterm in December 2006 with enough credits to start college as a junior. Without the guidance of my father and my intrinsic worth infused in me through the Martial Arts, I don’t know where I would be today. Now it is no longer my father speaking for me, for I have reached a fork in the road of my passage that has led me to be my sole interpreter and spokeswoman for my future. Paths which will set me up for success as I skillfully choose to surround myself with positive people and role models. As I mentioned before, life’s heroes are foundations that build not only your body, but your mind and soul as well. My father will always be an excellent trainer and unfailing supporter, but in my eyes he will also be… a hero.

(If anybody would like to share who their heroes are, I would love to hear from you! Please contact me at LindaBustamante@worldblackbelt.com. Take care, God Bless and can't wait to here from Everyone!)

This has been a Youth E-Zine Article.