Wednesday, November 30, 2011

So this is Christmas, and What have you done?

“So this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun. Let’s hope it’s a good one with out any fear”…John Lennon


All year round we are pushing our selves to do more, get more and be more.  Which is not always bad, but if that is our soul purpose and drive then that leads to burnout.  Whether it is at work, school or in training you need time to reflect, refocus and set new goals for the coming future.  During that time of reflection focus on these three areas;
Lighten the load – whenever you can help someone especially family and friends. Do this with the attitude of gratitude, then feel what this does for your energy levels. When you help others you are always helping yourself.

Count your blessings – we have all won the “lotto of life” living here in Canada. We have our health, families and TKD brothers and sisters. Take time this in this festive season to really meditate and be grateful for everything in your life. Remember that the happiest people don’t have everything they are just grateful for every thing.

It’s impossible – to feel grateful and depressed at the same time as our minds can only dwell on one thought at a time. The one lesson that you will hear in TKD over and over is that you have the power to choose your thought, why not make it a good one?


When we educate our selves to feel gratitude, it means we take nothing for granted. We will always look for and value the kind of people who stand behind their words and actions. Nothing that is done for you is by accident. Everything originated in a will for good which is directed to you. One of the most important lessons not only in Tae Kwon-Do, but in your life is to train your self to always use your thoughts, words and actions for the expression of gratitude.

From our families to yours thank you for your involvement in Tae Kwon-Do, your support of our academies and making the world a more peaceful place.

First we make out Habits then our Habits Make Us


A few good habits will carry you a long way, said the master to his top student. They’ll get you through some tough times and set you up for consistent success. They'll make you a pacesetter."

The student asked what a pacesetter is.

"Well sometimes you're in a position to lead and sometimes you're not. But you're always in a position to be a pacesetter."

When you are handed the reins of leadership, you want to take them and do well. But I'll tell it to you straight. You need to make good things happen around you whether or not you're the leader. Do that consistently and any position of responsibility you want will be offered sooner than you can imagine. Don't seek any type of advancement by looking for promotions. Seek the opportunity to make good things happen around you now, and the rewards will follow."

Every student trains hard and does good work said the master, his student was perplexed. After a moment, the master spoke again. "You need to be different in a way that doesn't detract from the others efforts, but allows you to make an even greater contribution.

Are you helping students that are junior to you, or do you volunteer to do privates for the leadership team? You must seek ways to contribute. Like Mr. Zigler says “when you help others get what they need and want, you will always get what you need, want and deserve.

The next habit I want you to internalize is First in and last out which means you put in more effort and work harder than anyone else -- and not just busy work, but a meaningful, higher level of contribution. Get to work, school-- or meetings, presentations, leadership team meeting sessions -- early, and don't be the first to leave. Those times, early and late, are often when some of the most meaningful contributions are made. When we practice Tae Kwon-Do it means being the first one to show up for practice and the last to go home. It means doing more to prepare and develop than your competition. It means putting in more meaningful effort to produce a better end result.

Say to yourself before going to bed each night the first thing out of my mouth will be something positive when I wake up. It really doesn’t matter if you are alone or not, just say aloud something positive to yourself or to who ever you see first thing in the morning.



Respectfully,

Master Dan Zaleski