Acts of Kindness

My kids impressed me yesterday. I feel some guilt because I realized that I don’t always give them enough credit, and don’t always recognize how big their hearts are. I know I hold them to a high standard, and it causes me to miss some of the little things.

Yesterday, we were heading up to my mom and dads, and were waiting for the elevator with a lady who was using the building cart to bring a couple of boxes and stuff upstairs. After pushing the button a few times, it became apparent that someone had locked the elevator on the 4th floor.

I asked the lady what floor she needed, and then I offered to help her carry it up the stairs. Haley was right in there, and so was Maya, even though she was really grouchy. It turns out the lady was getting a head start on moving her daughter into the building, and she was really nice. And extremely grateful, as she would have had to somehow bring up the boxes on her own.

Haley said to me after, that she felt really good for helping, and she had a giant smile on her face. And even though Maya refused to look at me, I knew that she felt good too. So while I volunteered them to help, they jumped right in, and made me proud.

It proves that small things can make a huge difference.

Treat others the way you want to be treated

How do we teach our children and peers to be leaders? I really believe in setting an example, so instead of talking too much, we need to actually do more. We need them to see us doing what we say to do, and to visibly see our passion.

So how do we show our children the way to lead when they are at school? How do you define the line between helping and being taken advantage of? I hope that be talking as a family, and discussing things that happen, without dismissing them is a good start. So is doing more at Kung Fu.

I try to be involved in my kids training, by training with them. I hope that with them seeing my involvement in my school, and by including them in our community, and volunteering our family, that it will encourage them to lead.

Together we can make a difference. We walk the walk, and talk the talk.

Kung Fu

I realized something not too long ago, and it became more evident this week in my older daughter.

I noticed her coordination in her swimming lessons over the summer, and her lessons now. Compared to the other kids her age, her ability to move her arms and legs together but separately is way ahead of the others.

And this week, she was telling me about how they are learning football in gym class. She was on a team of 4 with 3 other boys, and she was telling me that she is good at throwing, and that out of the kids in her class, she is one of the only ones who can step forward and throw the ball at the same time.

This brought our conversation to Kung Fu. I told her that it was Kung Fu that has given her that coordination, and the ability to move her body like that. She was a little surprised, but I explained that we do that stuff every class. It’s in our forms, in our techniques, and even sparring. As it dawned on her, that Kung Fu is going to help her in all sports, her face lit up.

I am really excited to see how much Kung Fu will positively influence the rest of her life. (Of course, there is the mental discipline and focus, but that’s for another blog)

Thanks for you...

My family, for bringing meaning to my life. For your unconditional love, laughter, and support.

My children, for giving me purpose, and a sense of being. For letting me relive your innocence, and for teaching me how to stay in the moment.

My Kung Fu, for helping me grow as a person, to become more accountable, and to further myself in making a difference in the world around me.

My friends, for sharing experiences, for the support in good and bad times, and for always being just a phone call away.

My health, for allowing me to be healthy enough to work hard to provide for my family, and to enjoy the life that I have blessed with.

My country, for giving me access to health care, the freedom to vote, and a relatively safe place to live.

Mother Earth, for providing us with air, soil, and water, so that we can cohabitate with all other life. I am sorry, that us, the human race, have not shown you enough respect, and I hope with all I am, that it isn’t too late.

Happy Thanksgiving.

This one is untitled.

It can be really hard to write something sometimes. I could take the easy way out, and tell myself I will do it tomorrow, but tomorrow never comes right?

So briefly - I have started physiotherapy for my wonky hip and wrist tendonitis. We’ll see how that goes. I have also been seriously considering UBBT 8 and have a few requirements for myself already. Hmmm, this blog isn’t much, but it’s something...