Young students
Fairness means: “We play by the rules, show we care, do our part and get our share.
Older students, teens, adults:
Fairness means: Treating others according to what’s deserved, appropriate, and needed.
Mattie Stepanek
Today I wrote a brief biography on a peacemaker, Mattie Stepanek. I love his thoughts and poetry. In my web site ‘Learn Peace‘ he is listed with the likes of Ghandi, Thich Nhat Hahn, and others. His simple wisdom allows us to pause and consider if we too can be a ‘peacemaker’.
Our responsibility
From the time I first started training in the martial arts and could see the impact it could have on a persons life, I realized that I had a responsibility to be my best and then to share this ‘art’ with others. The responsibility was not just to teach the physical side of the martial arts, but really to show the benefits of practicing everything you need on the floor training, everywhere else you go in the world.
What is that responsibility? The responsibility is to be a role model to both parents and children. One teacher recently called me a life coach for the kids. That is a lot of responsibility. But really is that not what all adults are or can be? Are we not life coaches to our own kids first and then do we not have a responsibility to the next generation as a whole?
I believe that we should inspire them to do their best, to cheer them on, to find the good in them, to do what is best for them – even if it is not popular with them at first. Oh the first and best way to do that is to practice it ourselves. Give our best, Cheer ourselves on and find the good in ourselves and celebrate it, Correct what we need to correct in ourselves and do what is the right and best thing for ourselves even if it is not convenient or popular with ourselves. Our kids will learn from us by the example better than what we say with our words.
Learning to make a ‘peace crane’
I have never done origami before and so our event on November 15 when we will do an act of peace and create the peace cranes is brand new to me. in this post I will tell you that I started practicing this art just two nights ago and after about my 4th crane, they were starting to look like cranes and not to bad, though I still needed some assistance on the head and opening the wings.
Later this morning I will put a photo up of my best one so far, but I also encourage you to start creating some on your own. Here is a link on how to create a crane. If you need paper ask me and I will give you some or you can stop by Michael’s and get some paper to practice with. More on the significance of the peace crane in a post later this week.
Create Peace Cranes
Facing the future
In my study of peace there is a young man that has stood out in his ability to put into words very simply, life lessons that takes many of us years to understand. His name is Mattie Stepanek. Now while he is no longer here with us today, his words and spirit is still having an affect on all who read his poetry. In a new piece of work that I am using to learn peace, Mattie is noted as a peacemaker.
Next week I will be posting about his life. In the mean time enjoy this poem he wrote that I believe describes how I am trying to live my life. To see this new site please go to the Learn Peace website.
Facing the Future
Every journey begins
With but a small step.
And every day is a chance
For a new, small step
In the right direction.
Just follow your Heartsong.
by Mattie Stepanek
From the book HOPE THROUGH HEARTSONGS
Making choices responsibly
Winston Churchill once said; “The price of greatness is responsibility.” But have you ever known someone who wants the power and glory and wants to be in charge, but as soon as something goes wrong does not want to take responsibility for anything? We saw this on a large scale in the past few months with the economic crisis here in the United States.
The same thing happens in our individual homes and families too. One thing that will always be true is that the choices we make today will affect us not just today but many times for years to come. That is why I continue to emphasis to our students not to think about not doing something because they might get in trouble – but rather because the choices we make have a long term affect on us and we want to do what is right because it is right.
The way we deal with choices and responsibility affects our ability to be a leader in our family or in government. When we blame others, we give up our power to affect change. Dealing with choice and consequences responsibly impacts our ability to be a leader.