November 2012
THIS MONTH’S NEWSLETTER IS BEING POSTED A LITTLE LATER THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE STORM THAT TOOK OUT THE POWER (WHICH IS STILL OUT AT OUR HOME). REMEMBER TO LISTEN TO WRNJ RADIO, 1510 AM, 92.7 FM AND 104.7 FM. WE WILL CALL THEM AFTER 1:00 PM AND ASK THAT THEY ANNOUNCE CANCELLATION OF CLASSES. ALSO LOOK AT OUR DOJO WEB PAGE, www.isshin-ryu.com – WE WILL POST THERE ALSO.
Congratulations to the students who earned promotions since our last newsletter – Junior Yellow Belt – Zoe Arluna, Anthony Morin
A few years ago I had the privilege to meet and attend seminars by two successful life coaches, Bob Proctor and Zig Ziglar. Their teachings and philosophies struck a cord with my own beliefs and added depth to my approach as to how one should live. Since our initial meetings, I have found many other individuals that also share their beliefs, which also support my continued growth.
The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn
“It is the promise of spring that as we sow, so shall we also reap. Faith further provides to us an irrevocable law decreed in heaven which assures that for every disciplined human effort we will receive a multiple reward. For each cup planted, a bushel reaped, for every good idea given to another, many shall be given to us in return. For every demonstrated act of faith, a multiplicity of the rewards; and for every act of love given, a life of love in return.” — Jim Rohn
Life is about constant, predictable patterns of change. For the six thousand years of recorded history, as humans have entered this world, received parental instruction, classroom instruction, and gathered the experience of life; many have set for themselves ambitious goals, and dreamed lofty dreams. As the wheel of life continues its constant turning, all human emotions appear, disappear, and appear once again. A major challenge faced by us all is that we must learn to experience the changing of life’s cycles without being changed by them; to make a constant and conscious effort to improve ourselves in the face of changing circumstances.
That is why I believe in the power and value of attitude. As I read, ponder and speculate about people, their deeds and their destiny, I become more deeply convinced that it is our natural destiny to grow, to succeed, to prosper, and to find happiness while we are here. By our attitude, we decide to read, or not to read. By our attitude, we decide to try or give up. By our attitude, we blame ourselves for our failure, or we blame others. Our attitude determines whether we tell the truth or lie, act or procrastinate, advance or recede, and by our own attitude we and we alone actually decide whether to succeed or fail.
First, life: it’s like the seasons that change. Second, you cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself.
Now with those two key phrases in mind, . . . the first major lesson in life to learn is how to handle the winters. They come regularly, right after autumn. . . . That is never going to change. There are all kinds of winters – the “winter” when you can’t figure it out, the “winter” when everything seems to go haywire. There are economic winters, social winters and personal winters. Wintertime can bring disappointment, and disappointment is common to all of us. So you must learn how to handle the winters. You must learn how to handle difficulty; it always comes after opportunity.
You can’t get rid of January simply by tearing it off the calendar. But here is what you can do: you can get stronger; you can get wiser; and you can get better. Remember that trio of words: stronger, wiser, better. The winters won’t change, but you can.
Next is spring. Fortunately, following the turbulence of winter comes the season of activity and opportunity called springtime. It is the season for entering the fertile fields of life with seed, knowledge, commitment, and a determined effort. However, the mere arrival of spring is no sign that things are going to look good in the fall. You must do something with the spring. In fact, everyone has to get good at one of two things: planting in the spring or begging in the fall. Take advantage of the day and the opportunities that spring can bring.
It is the promise of spring that as we sow, so shall we also reap. Faith further provides to us an irrevocable law decreed in heaven which assures that for every disciplined human effort we will receive a multiple reward. For each cup planted, a bushel reaped, for every good idea given to another, many shall be given to us in return. For every demonstrated act of faith, a multiplicity of the rewards; and for every act of love given, a life of love in return.
Just remember it is a natural characteristic of springtime to present itself ever so briefly, or to lull us into inactivity with its bounteous beauty. Do not pause too long to soak in the aroma of the blossoming flowers, lest you awaken to find springtime gone with your seed still in your sack. Get busy quickly on your springs, your opportunities. There are just a handful of springs that have been handed to each of us. Life is brief, even at its longest. Whatever you are going to do with your life, get at it. Don’t just let the seasons pass by.
The third major lesson in life to learn; how to nourish and protect your crops all summer. Sure enough, as soon as you’ve planted, the busy bugs and noxious weeds are out to take things over. Here is the next bit of truth: they will take it, unless you prevent it.
There are two key phrases to consider with the third major lesson. The first is “all good will be attacked.” Don’t press me for a reason. I was not in on some of the early decisions, so I don’t know why. I just know that it’s true. Let reality be your best beginning. Every garden will be invaded. The second phrase is “all values must be defended.” Social values, political values, friendship values, business values – all must be defended. Every garden must be tended all summer. If you don’t develop this skill, you’ll never wind up with anything of value.
But for those who make diligent efforts to plant, protect, and preserve there are not enough birds, bugs, or other obstacles to destroy all the efforts of last spring.
Now, the fourth and season is fall, the time of harvesting the fruits of our springtime labor. Fall also presents us with our fourth major lesson to learn in life, and that is to learn how to reap in the fall without apology if you have done well and without complaint if you have not.
For nothing is more exciting than a bounteous crop, and nothing more dreadful than a barren field in the fall. We must remember that in all areas of the human existence, what we put into this world, we get back from it. It is nature’s way of evening the score. So regardless of the results, take full responsibility for your crop. One of the highest forms of human maturity is accepting full responsibility for our lives. Which brings me back to the beginning of our discussion. We must remember that life is constantly recycling itself. Much of life is about the balancing of two opposites; like the positive and negative charge on a battery. Life’s balancing of opposites totally surrounds our lives; man/woman, day/night, good/evil, life/death, water/land, summer/winter, recession/expansion, joy/sorrow, etc.
Yes, I believe we will have major changes, but I also believe we will continue to have just one winter, spring, summer and fall each year. Much of our success will lie in our ability and philosophy to plant in the springtime of opportunity. To weed and cultivate in the testing time of summer, to harvest without apology and/or complaint in the season of fall and to get stronger, wiser, better in the transition and learning times of winter.
Remember it is not what happens to you that determines your future; it is what you do about it.
The thoughts related by Jim Rohn’s article do pertain to how one must do certain things to become successful and happy in life. The same is true in our karate training. We start training with enthusiasm like a clean white board waiting for notes or someone to scribble on it. Each person’s reason to start training is different from others but the path one must travel is the same and has been for centuries. (This is an amazing thought.) There are no short cuts to proficiency and eventual mastery. The more diligent the student, generally the better the student will be able to learn and thus receive preliminary promotions sooner than one who is not as diligent or capable. The higher the rank – the more the student should know and understand. With rank comes growing responsibility to the art and to help others of a lesser rank. With advanced ranks there are prescribed necessary time limits to ensure one becomes stronger, wiser and better able to understand the depth of internal growth and development. Everyone experiences emotional highs and lows similar to the change in seasons – – balance the opportunities available and press onward to a new and improved “you”.
There are now books at the dojo that children may borrow to read and then return. See Renshi Hughes.
We clean daily at the dojo in the attempts to provide a good environment for student training and a clean atmosphere for everyone. Please limit snacks and other foods to the tables and away from chairs and couches. Numerous unwanted presents have been found under cushions and other places. THANKS.
