DECEMBER 2013
PLAN AHEAD . . . THERE WILL BE NO CLASSES ON DECEMBER 24, 25, 26 & 31 – JANUARY 1 – – MAKE UP CLASSES BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH OR IN 2014.
ALSO – – – IF THE WEATHER THREATENS TO BE BAD, LISTEN TO WRNJ 1510 AM or 92.7 / 104.7 FM FOR DOJO CLOSINGS. I GENERALLY MAKE THE DECISION BY 3:00 PM. EVEN IF THE DOJO IS OPEN AND YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING, CALL AND LET US KNOW AND YOU CAN MAKE UP THE CLASS.
Congratulations to Julian and Aiden Hester who earned their Junior Yellow Belts and Anabeth Fernandez who earned her Junior Orange Belt.
The Rose – by Jim Rohn
Lifestyle is style over amount. And style is an art—the art of living. You can’t buy style with money. You can’t buy good taste with money. You can only buy more with money. Lifestyle is culture—the appreciation of good music, dance, art, sculpture, literature, plays and the art of living well. It’s a taste for the fine, the unique, the beautiful.
Lifestyle also means rewarding excellence wherever you find it by not taking the small things of life for granted. I wanted to illustrate this with a personal anecdote:
Many years ago my lady friend and I were on a trip to Carmel, California, for some shopping and exploring. On the way we stopped at a service station. As soon as we parked our car in front of the pumps, a young man, about eighteen or nineteen, came bouncing out to the car and with a big smile said, “Can I help you?”
“Yes,” I answered, “A full tank of gas, please.” I wasn’t prepared for what followed. In this day and age of self-service and deteriorating customer treatment, this young man checked every tire, washed every window—even the sunroof—singing and whistling the whole time. We couldn’t believe both the quality of service and his upbeat attitude about his work.
When he brought the bill, I said to the young man, “Hey, you really have taken good care of us. I appreciate it.”
He replied, “I really enjoy working. It’s fun for me and I get to meet nice people like you.” This kid was really something!
I said, “We’re on our way to Carmel and we want to get some milkshakes. Can you tell us where we can find the nearest Baskin-Robbins?”
“Baskin-Robbins is just a few blocks away,” he said as he gave us exact directions. Then he added, “Don’t park out front—park around to the side so your car won’t get sideswiped.” What a kid!
As we got to the ice cream store we ordered milkshakes, except that instead of two, we ordered three. Then we drove back to the station. Our young friend dashed out to greet us. “Hey, I see you got your milkshakes.”
“Yes, and this one is for you!”
His mouth fell open. “For me?”
“Sure. With all the fantastic service you gave us, I couldn’t leave you out of the milkshake deal.”
“Wow!” was his astonished reply.
As we drove off I could see him in my rear-view mirror just standing there, grinning from ear to ear.
Now, what did this little act of generosity cost me? Only about two dollars—you see, it’s not the money, it’s the style.
Well, I must have been feeling especially creative that day, so upon our arrival in Carmel I drove directly to a flower shop. As we walked inside I said to the florist, “I need a long-stemmed rose for my lady to carry while we go shopping in Carmel.”
The florist, a rather unromantic type, replied, “We sell them by the dozen.”
“I don’t need a dozen,” I said, “just one.”
“Well,” he replied haughtily, “it will cost you two dollars.”
“Wonderful,” I exclaimed. “There’s nothing worse than a cheap rose.”
Selecting the rose with some deliberation, I handed it to my friend. She was so impressed! And the cost? Two dollars. Just two dollars. A bit later she looked up and said, “Jim, I must be the only woman in Carmel today carrying a rose.” And I believe she probably was.
Can you imagine the opportunity to create magic with those around you, and all for the cost of a few dollars, some imagination and care? Remember, it is not the amount that matters but the thought and care that often has the greatest impact upon those you love.
Though Isshin-ryu is a style of karate, the way each person approaches the study and teaching of Isshin-ryu Karate demonstrates style. Think about It; do you approach each class striving to get the most from the opportunity to train and TO PERFECT even the smallest element you have been taught? Do you execute each block, punch and kick with the intensity and precision needed if that technique is what is needed to protect yourself or someone else? No one knows when it may be necessary to use the skills we hope we never will be called upon to use.
Style is also demonstrated in the way we treat and interact with other people. It does not take any more effort to be pleasant and positive in nature when talking to and responding to other people. We are taught from an early age to treat other people in the manner we wish to be treated. However, there are those who do not do so and bully others. It is style and personal choice to be or not be this type of person. It is style to demonstrate the respect that we learn at home and at the dojo at every opportunity.
The most important part of developing an unbeatable style (personality) is YOU. Our superior training taught by strong, dedicated & capable, black belts helps. Each person must develop and demonstrate excitement and dedication to improve every day. There is no magic. Reading our news letter more than once may help us to understand key concepts or ideas. If there is magic . . . it is found within YOU and it comes from inside each individual. Believe in yourself. Dare to try to improve. Accept the responsibility to think for yourself.
The real magic of new disciplines is that they will cause us to amend our thinking. If we were to start today to read more often, keep a journal, attend the classes consistently, listen more and observe more, then today would be the first day of a new life leading to a better future. Start today to try harder, and in every way make a conscious and consistent effort to change subtle and carekess errors into constructive and rewarding disciplines. In doing so we would never again settle for a life of existence—but one of style and success.
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn” ― Orson Welles
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ― Thomas Jefferson
