I deal with a lot of Taekwon-do people.  Instructors and students of the ICTF.  Many non ICTF people through e-mail contacts.  A lot of Karate and Kung-Fu people at open events, demos, and mall events.  Hundreds of parents both with my club, with other ICTF clubs, and parents from Taekwon-Do clubs I have never even heard of.  I do Taekwon-do related stuff each and every day of the week.  For me, Taekwon-do really is a way of life.
So when I deal with others, I have to remind myself that they are probably only involved with Taekwon-do a tiny bit.  Like I am the beach and they are a grain of sand, in relation to Taekwon-do.  All my interactions must be tempered with this concept.  If I had a parent approach me to tell me that their son (a Taekwon-Do student), has been accepted into a hockey program and will be missing numerous classes, I have to smile and say, great.  Even though we both know that son will be done with hockey in a few years, while he could have continued with Taekwon-do for a life time.  Perhaps a student tells me that he/she can’t go to the tournament next Saturday because of a friends birthday party that night.  We both know its just an excuse because they don’t conflict time wise.  But I say, have fun and maybe next time.  Knowing inside how much fun, knowledge, skill improvement, and new friends that student will be missing.
I wouldn’t miss a class to see the opening night of a new movie.  I’d wait to go at a time when there is no conflict with Taekwon-do.  Taekwon-do has so many more benefits to it than people can grasp.  I love soccer but it can’t be practised in the car at a red light.  Taekwon-do can.  Soccer doesn’t help protect me from a bully in school.  Taekwon-do can.  Soccer doesn’t make me a more respectful, courteous person.  Taekwon-do can.
A recent contact from a parent from a non ICTF school springs to mind.  This mom was upset that her son had tested for blackbelt but the instructor refused to give a certificate until they signed up for another year.  So she went to the internet and contacted me.  This school was not in my Federation.  Was not even in my Province.  After some investigation I discovered the instructor was one of those, “buyer beware” types.  Since there is no governing body that over sees all martial arts schools, any Tom, Dick, or Harry can open a school and claim to be an instructor.  After obtaining video of this boys test I had to inform the mom that not only was I unable to help with a certificate, but if her son had tested with me, he would not have passed the test.  Inferior instruction leads to inferior ability in the student.
I may be one of very few people that have completely immersed themselves into Taekwon-Do.  But it is well worth it.  I am very happy doing what I love to do, almost every minute of the day.  Maybe you should do it more.  Life is full of excuses and distractions.  Make Taekwon-do your focus.