We’ve been speaking in the classes this week about the black belt principle of “being a good-finder.” When I first heard the expression, I thought it was corny until I pondered it further and then saw its potency. Being a good-finder means that you find the good in everything, everyone, and every situation. Seem extreme and completely impractical? Well, … [Read more…]
I recently had a conversation with a former schoolteacher. She told me that she believed that one of the hallmarks of being a good teacher was that students should never feel that a teacher is playing favorites. I agreed. She then went on to say that even though a teacher may have favorites, the students shouldn’t realize … [Read more…]
Yesterday, I had a very interesting conversation with my mentor. She told me a story about how one of her family members, who is in the medical field, was required to take a fire safety class. The fire marshal who was running the class asked the attendees whether they knew what the number one cause … [Read more…]
Sometimes avoiding a fight isn’t what it appears to be. I’ll explain in a moment, but first a question: Do you ever feel like you’re in your own way? I know for me, sometimes I feel like I’m cut off from what might be possible in a given situation. This can easily lead me into … [Read more…]
In a recent conversation, my mentor talked to me about the quality of patience. She explained how patience promotes much progress in all areas of our lives, if we allow patience the opportunity to do so. I started thinking about how, if I applied this idea not only to my personal life but also to … [Read more…]
This week in our classroom we’ve been discussing the concept of “forgiveness”. Heavy concept, I know : ) But let me share why I consider it a “black belt trait” and why it applies to our martial arts practice. Forgiveness is sometimes seen as this very intense, demanding , even religious concept. I prefer to … [Read more…]
The other night a student came up to me and said “I like your watch. I have the same one. My buddy got me a good deal on it because, you know, it ‘fell off the back of the truck’.” And I said, “What are you telling me that for? Don’t tell your martial arts teacher … [Read more…]
Jiu-Jitsu is often idiosyncratic. It has its own culture, its own language. We can endlessly debate the values of different approaches to training, to teaching, to “art versus sport”. But I think there are a few things we as practitioners can do to elevate the practice for everyone, regardless of where they’re from. So with … [Read more…]
When I was fifteen, two guys approached me on the street in New York. They started a classic street hustle – a lot of quick conversation back and forth, building a story for me, finding a way to hook me in emotionally. It happened very quickly and then it was over. You might not believe it, … [Read more…]
When I started karate there was a sign on the dojo wall that said, “Only one in every ten thousand people who join the martial arts will get their black belt”. I remember thinking to myself at the time, “Not very many people make it.” And then I thought… “That’s a lot of people failing. Who’s teaching … [Read more…]