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Message of the week
Ware Koto Ni Oite Kokai Sezu - Live Without Regret
With the end of the year approaching it reminds us that another year has passed and time continues on whether we're ready for it or not. To live your life without regret means to live fully and not hold back. Learn from you choices. Do the things you want to do and be the person you want to be. Take risks and be courageous. We only live once so make your life shine brightly and be able to reflect without regret.
Congratulations to everyone who passed their Black Belt Test Saturday! You are a great example of this message!
Message of the week
Dojo De Naki, Senjo De Waru - Cry in the Dojo, Laugh on the Battlefied
This is the idea of preparing ourselves and working hard so our future will be better . It is important to be present and live in the moment. With that said, we also want to plan for our future. If we only live for today and don't think about tomorrow then we can find ourselves in a future that we may not find ideal. We must live our lives in a way that will enable us to enjoy and thrive as our future self. Plan for your future. Work hard today so you can enjoy tomorrow.
Message of the week
Bushido - The way of the warrior
The term Bushido is used to describe a set of virtues which warriors should live by. The virtues include righteousness, courage, compassion, respect, integrity, honor, loyalty, and self control. We are all warriors in some way. If you stand up for what is right and try to live your life in a way that betters yourself and your community, you are a warrior. Live your life with the virtues of Bushido and be a modern day warrior.
Message of the week
Heijo Shin Kore Michi - The calm, regular mind is the way
This is the idea of staying mentally calm and relaxed in our daily living. There may be times we find ourselves in a stressful situation that has been thrust upon us and it then becomes something we must handle and confront. Even though we may not be able to control the situation, we can control how we react to the situation. To stay calm and relaxed during stressful times will help us see things more clearly and help us make better choices.
Message of the week
Arigato - Thank you
With Thanksgiving around the corner, this is an opportunity to reflect on the things in our lives that we are thankful for. If we can think of these things on a daily basis, we can live much happier and fulfilled lives. We have so much to be thankful for. At USA Martial Arts, we are sincerely thankful for all of our instructors, students, families and friends. Domo Arigato Gozaimash*ta!
Message of the week
Gaman - Perseverance; Self-restraint
This is the idea that we push beyond what we think we can handle and endure the hardships that we face with dignity and self-restraint. This term "gaman" was widely used to describe the Japanese people during the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Instead of people looting and and creating chaos, they came together civilly and helped each other to get through a seemingly unbearable time. Whatever your hardship is, know that you are strong enough to make it through.
Message of the week
Kime - Eye Focus
In our martial arts training this refers to staying focused on your target or opponent and your direction of movement. In life we can apply this to what we are watching or consuming with not only our eyes but our mind. Our lives are influenced and shaped by what we take in so we must be mindful of the things we are consuming. Look upon and fill your mind with things that will make you and those around you better.
Message of the week
Makoto - To do something without thinking of the benefits it may offer; to not compare oneself to others
This is the idea of doing something just for the sake of doing it. In our training it is best to lose yourself in what you are doing. Try not to compare yourself to others or their progress. To do something without thinking of how it will benefit you or how it compares to someone else is probably the most sincere way to go about our training. This concept can help us greatly in life as well. If we compare ourselves too much to others then we can lose our uniqueness and our own strengths if we try to be too much like someone else. We all have our own strengths to offer the world. The world needs you and not a carbon copy of someone else. Embrace who you are, focus on your strengths more than your weaknesses and most importantly, be YOU!
Message of the week
Sho Shin Sho G*i - Beginner's mind for whole life
This is the idea that no matter how much of an expert you are at something, there is always more to learn if you are open to learning. When teaching it is important to remember what it is like being new to something and how challenging things can be when you are first learning a new skill. In doing so, you will be more patient and understanding. Lastly, this can also carry the idea of being playful and child like. Children often find joy in the smallest of things and don't need much to be happy and satisfied. Adults can benefit greatly from this concept. Let us learn from our children and all strive to have the beginner's mind.
Message of the week
Shugyo - Austere Training
In martial arts we often train past the point of discomfort creating new limits for ourselves. Every time we do this we grow in our confidence and we become more resilient. We should also do this in life as well. Stepping out of our comfort zone is a wonderful way to grow as an individual. Seek out those opportunities for growth. Push through challenges and when you feel like there is nothing left to give that is exactly the moment when you need shugyo.
Message of the week
Fukasa to Hirosa - Deep understanding of something
We often have a surface level understanding of many things but if we truly want to understand something, we need to have a deeper understanding of it. In our training this can benefit us greatly when it comes to our techniques and their original intent and design. This is also a huge benefit in our daily living. To understand where someone is coming from or to truly listen to another and understand why they feel the way they feel is a very important part of effective communication. Let us all try and have a deeper understanding of the people and things in our life.
Message of the week
Malobashi - Just do it
This is the idea of taking action. In a situation where we are not looking forward to doing something, the best thing we can do is just get it done. If we continue to procrastinate we can suffer much longer than we would if we would just get it done. Also, tomorrow is not guaranteed. If there is something you want to do in life, plan and make it happen. Be able to look back on your life without regret knowing that you lived your best life achieving what you wanted.
Congratulations to all of our athletes for competing so well at the Atlanta Peachtree Karate Cup. We’re so proud of you!
Grace Kingrey - 1st place Kumite
Mary Hickman - 1st place Kata
Colby Bagwell - 1st place Kata, 2nd place Kumite
Tony Vandrell - 5th place Kata & Kumite
Jakob Mason - 2nd place Kata & Kumite
Porter McCalman - 2nd place Kumite
Message of the week
Fu Yo No Yo - What is not wanted or needed is needed
Often in life we experience things we do not like or feel we do not need to have happen to us. However, if life was always good then we would not appreciate the good in our lives. Life is about balance. In order to appreciate the good things in our lives, we need to experience things that are not so good. We need perspective. Sometimes the things we don't want to have happen to us are exactly what we need in order for us to grow and move to the next level in our development as individuals.
Message of the week
Saru Moki Kara Ochiru - Even monkeys fall from trees
This is the idea that everyone makes mistakes. We should try to avoid looking at our mistakes as failures and instead view them as learning opportunities. A big part of living is learning by trial and error. Try not to beat yourself up too much over your mistakes. They are simply building blocks to making you the best version of yourself.
Message of the week
Shidoin - To be a leader
One of the best ways we can be leaders is by setting a good example. Live your life in a way that you would want others to live. More people are looking to you for guidance and wisdom than you realize. Lead by example and you will be a great leader.
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