For those of you that may not know, I have been studying martial
arts with Owen and Joshua for approximately 18 months. I started as
a 37 year old, humble white belt... and now I am a humble 39 year
old orange belt with one green tip. My next promotion will bring me
a green belt. My journey will be a long one... hopefully lasting me
much of the rest of my life.
My training is very interesting and we all attend a remarkable
school that is quite close to our home. The interesting part of my
training comes from the fact that most of my peers [and seniors for
that matter] are about a third of my age :) This is where the
humbleness and humility come in.
The best part is that I am meeting, and becoming friends with
some of the finest young men and women our community has to offer.
Young individuals with remarkable character and a commitment to
keeping themselves healthy, focused and humble as well. It has
truly been one of the great things I have been involved with thus
far in my llife.
To be very honest, I never really pictured myself as a "world
changer" when I was growing up. I really didn't think that 'big'
and that 'outside of myself' when it came to those things. What I
did picture myself doing, even from a very young age was being
involved with my family and being a positive influence with kids in
my community. I was drawn to coaching/mentoring even as a very
young child, working as a t-ball umpire :)
I truly believe that I CAN be a "world changer" by being
available to the kids in my community, not always leading them, but
following them as well. This is why I love my martial arts
community. I LEARN so much from these kids, it is sometimes an
overwhelming flow of emotion. My sons show me that they will soon
be very strong and well-centered young men. At the same time, I
show myself that I can set goals and work toward them and work on
my ability to clear my mind, continue to learn, to teach and to be
taught.
I know not many people will read this, but to those that may...
just remember that children can teach us everything we need to know
to be GREAT adults.. and in return we can let kids know that they
can give us that. Show a child some respect with words and actions
and it comes back times ten. We all can be world changers with just
a little bit of that!