Upclose in a Far Away Kingdom

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Caught in the middle of the kids shouting "Haaaa-ya!" to exhale after every kick executed in a tae kwon do class is rather odd. "High knees, high knees!!! Faster, faster!!!" our instructor commanded. I panted after each lap conquered. I was sweating, and my cheeks turned red as if burning. I didn't complain, in fact I liked the feeling, but I struggled to finish every lap. While I was catching up, and grasping for more air that would fill my lungs to supply me with strength, the kids were chattering and laughing and just having fun. None of them ever showed weakness, even the chubby ones. Another lap conquered, I panted, the kids were giggling. And I triumphed over another lap, I grasped for air, they were only playing around. The last lap was called, my heart was racing, I almost blacked out for the finish, but the kids, it's as if nothing ever happened. "Wear your armor and protective stuffs, study spar everyone!" I heard the intructor announcing, as I was still coping with the oxygen debt that my body had just experienced. The kids came rushing to that part of the gym where the tae kwon do "stuff" lay. I can't believe they're already excited to do another leg breaking activity, while I was struggling to stay alive. I decided not to do the study spar, thanks goodness the instructor allowed me to only watch the kids doing a study spar. Only a few kids did the study spar and many of them sat a few inches away from me. They surrounded me. I watched the kids who were sparring with so much awe. Oh I'd give anything to be able to do that, I thought to myself. How I wish I could ever play like that. The moving pairs were awesome, and the background music that I heard as I watched them play was the chattering sound of the little tae kwon do players. They seem to be enjoying their world pretty much. I tried to get into their world, but I can only look at them from 'afar'. They were in very close proximity to my body, but they seem so far away. Their kingdom are surrounded with high tough walls, but crystal clear - transparent ones, that it's just too hard to climb over or break in. I can see them with all clarity but I can't get to where they are. They have an incredibly beautiful and vast kingdom that I cannot anymore enter. I was once part of this vast and beautiful kingdom. I belong to a different one now. But the shrieking sound and the laughter coming from the citizens of this kingdom, their strength that has no limit, remind me of that wonderful feeling I once had. Have you, fellow mylotters, recently explored what you used to have?