You must be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi
How many of us have wished we could change the world?
How many times have you thought,
“If only I had more time I could really do something great and improve my community!”
Modern life, with all of its electronic timekeepers, tasks, entertainment sources, stress, and general “busy-ness”, has robbed us of “our time”. We get so wrapped up in all the details of living in our busy world that we miss those little opportunities to make a difference and really change our lives. When we do go looking for ways to "make a difference" the search itself seems to only add to our time-deficit, not to mention what happens to our packed schedules when we actually get involved in a project! So how can we live life and still find time to improve the world around us?
Get involved in the martial arts!
Adults who practice martial arts learn a different way to live. An adult martial artist learns how to live “in the moment” and focus on those things in life that really matter, shutting out the distractions of the “busy life”. As they begin their practice adults often feel like attending class is just “another task” in their already packed schedule. It isn’t long, however, before these overstressed and overbooked students begin to crave their time in class. What they are really craving isn’t the particular techniques they are working on or the exercise, they are craving the “peace and simplicity” of being focused on just one thing. For them class is a place of calm, a place to go to retreat from the “busy-ness” of their daily life.
We all need this “moment to breath” in our lives. It is in these moments that we can begin to change the world; it starts naturally as we improve ourselves. Through the practice of martial arts we are able to "reprogram" our thinking and learn to focus on the important aspects of life. Martial arts provide adult students with a new perspective on living and on the value of relaxing and finding "moments of quiet" in everyday life. Over time adult students develop a more calm and composed way of approaching the "busy-ness" of living. They start to understand the truth behind the idea that:
Positive Change happens…
1 Day... 1 Week... 1 Month... 1 Year
…at a time when we apply ourselves.
If you want to make a positive difference in your home, in your community, and in the world, start by making positive changes in your own life. The best place to start is in your daily schedule. Find ways to reduce stress by reducing or eliminating “busy-ness” and replacing your more frivolous to-do’s with short periods of rest and reflection. It takes as little as 10 minutes of “quiet focus” a day to make a significant improvement in your life. Don’t let this idea create more stress in your life; keep in mind change happens slowly. Ask any adult martial artist and they will tell you that the most profound changes in their lives have happened slowly and deliberately.
Yes, successful change can be found. It is likely hiding in your daily agenda!
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