JUNE 2016
As the school year draws close to another ending, it is the beginning of the summer months of fun and frolic. Remember to make time to continue to read. Schooling may end but learning never does. An example is below – a quotation I found during the past semester while reviewing for my classes. I share it with you because it ties together many concepts: Education, Principle(s) from our karate training, and a long view of Life with the continuing of a long – yet newly understood Vision.
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
J.R.R. TOLKIEN
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” —George Eliot
The college semester has been finished for a few weeks as I start to compose this month’s newsletter. This past semester had a number of very bright individuals that worked well within the classroom setting and made each session enjoyable. The last two weeks we focused on a project that I have used at the end of the semester for the past six years. The project originated as a result of a lengthy meeting with Bob Proctor (a leading success coach, mentor and philosopher) and a man who was the top money earner in a networking venture in which I had been involved. As a result of doing well in building a business, I earned two all expenses paid vouchers to the company’s world headquarters and award ceremony in Irvine, California and free access to the Disney attraction. While I was attending seminars and meetings, my son toured the area and had free access to Disney.
During the meeting I was asked numerous times within an almost two hour session, what I needed and what I needed if I was going to be successful and happy. I answered numerous times the obvious answers to which Mr. Proctor said there is a more definitive response and we continued – on and on and on. When I finally realized the response it was so eye opening that I could not believe that I had struggled to come up with the answer.
NOW, the project (as my session with the men) started by a discussion about what is truly necessary to be happy and successful. The discussion lasted approximately thirty minutes and then the students were directed to make a list of as many personal, emotional, social and spiritual qualities and ideas as they could. After they were unable to think of more ideas, they were directed to talk to other students, friends and family members as possible prior to the next class. At the start of the next class I had the initial writing prompt projecting on the classroom screen. “True happiness is… to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca As at the beginning of each class, students had fifteen minutes to consider the thought for the day and respond to it (in writing) in one fashion or another. Generally, the quotation has some connection to what will be covered in class. Following the writing I had students write their lists on the white board – not duplicating what another student had written. At the end of the process (and the class) I directed the students to make sure they had a complete list and select in order their top ten thoughts for the next class.
There was a second happiness and success quotation for the beginning of the class and students were then directed to put their top ten lists on the whiteboard. Eight students were eager and with a bit of coaxing others followed suit. Similar listings were eliminated, leaving about thirty-five thoughts. The student who’s list was being discussed spoke to clarify his or her thoughts. Students were again directed to prioritize the remaining list into their top ten. As class was soon to end, students were asked to vote on which one concept was the most important. We now had seven top responses. As the students were to leave, I directed them to select three other concepts from any of the lists we created so for the next class they would have ten again. An essay was also to be created as to why one was the most important and why the other three were selected. Many students left groaning about the fact that I had not told them what the correct answer to the project was.
The final session for this project started with Ruth Smeltzer’s quote, “You have not lived a perfect day unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” Following the time spent writing, I showed forty minutes of Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret”. Students were directed take notes saving anything from the video that they found important to understand the author’s message. When complete students put the most important
ideas on the whiteboard. I also projected my short list of ideas on the screen in the front of the room. With only thirty minutes remaining in class a number of students were concerned that they STILL did not know the answer for which I as looking. I said it would become evident to them before they left the room. As we continued with the discussion it became evident to the students that they already were in possession of most of the items on their lists, though some would be further developed throughout their lifetimes. I again stated that the did have or were working on most of the ideas on their lists and as they understood that, how did that make them feel? Student sat pondering and with five minutes left one young man got the biggest smile on his face and said, “If I had not seen the video and if YOU had not continually asked us what we truly needed, I would not have understood the answer. It is self-fulfillment.” With that many of the students asked if he was correct – which he was. Now with only the exam to complete, the students are writing the final essay to the project relating their beliefs about what they truly need for success and happiness and why.
Our happiness in many ways ties directly to our “inner voice” that forever asks the question, “Are you moving toward your dream?” If your answer is “yes,” then hope breeds contentment. However, if the answer is “no, it’s too late,” despair may fester within your subconscious. You might not even realize why your life lacks joy. . . . But it’s never too late to discover your purpose and live your dream! We’re very honored that best-selling author, John Maxwell, has written Own Your Dreams: Discovering Your Purpose in Life. – John C. Maxwell
As stated at the beginning of this month’s newsletter – Education, Principle(s) from our karate training, and a long view of Life with the continuing of a long – yet newly understood Vision all relate to a journey. It has been said that the journey or process is more important than the destination. At times it may be easy to stop, take a rest, thinking that it will be easy to restart or continue our walk. Anyone who has stopped attending church, a fitness center or any endeavor can relate that it is hard to restart. Make the decision and commitment to continue on . . . work through struggles . . . the end result will be more than worth the effort.
60th year Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Isshinryu Karate by Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku
Date: Friday and Saturday, June 10th & 11th of 2016
Location: Cecchini Family Health and Wellness Complex – 2020 East Main Street – North Canton, Ohio 44720-3336
O.I.K.K.A. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, August 20 at 9:00 AM – Stone Bridge Middle School
1252 Yardville Allentown Rd, Allentown, New Jersey 08501
I have forms if you are interested in going. See me ASAP.
I HAVE CREATED POSTERS TO INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS. HELP US REACH MORE PEOPLE BY TAKING A FEW AND PUTTING THEM IN AREA STORES SO WE CAN INCREASE ENROLLMENT. THEY ARE LOCATED BY THE FRONT DOOR. THANKS!
SAVE THE DATE JULY 9, 2016. THIS IS THE DATE OF THE OUTDOOR TRAINING AT OUR HOME. TRAINING SESSIONS DURING THE DAY, PROMOTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE PREPARED, DEMONSTATIONS AND FOOD.
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A PART OF THE NEW W.H.D. AFFILIATION CREATED TO KEEP THE TEACHINGS OF HANSHI DUESSEL ALIVE, SEE ME. I HAVE REGISTRATION FROMS. THE COST FOR A LIFE-TIME MEMBERSHIP IS $35.00.
