What does it mean to be a martial artist?

What does it mean to be a martial artist?  I am not sure I know what this means.  For the first 4 years of training in Kung Fu I could never see myself as a martial artist.  I think this is because I would go to class and learn but after class I would leave and not think much about Kung Fu until the next class.  Yes I would do some training at home but not where I thought that I was a martial artist.

I am now in my second year of I Ho Chuan and things feel a lot  different for me.  The daily requirements have become a normal part of life.  I would not say that is as routine as say eating or brushing my teeth, but it is always front and centre.  Not like  a chore, but more of like, I need to do this to make my day better.  When I played hockey running and doing push-ups was like torture to me.  Now it is more like a stress reliever.  It is becoming something that I need in my day.

I Ho Chuan has made me more aware of my surroundings.  I am more aware of how I train and am more able to realize when I am making mistakes or when something does not feel right.  I am more aware of the world around me and how I interact with people and the environment.  I now look at things a lot more critically and question more why things are as they are.

I am not sure this is what being a Martial Artist is but, I am more comfortable seeing myself as a Martial Artist.  I expect that the was I see myself will change as I move forward in my training but for now  I like where I am going.