I was visiting my sister recently and she told me my nephew is taking TaeKwonDo.  When I went into the bathroom she had a paper with all the information he needs to memorize for TaeKwonDo.  I have to tell you as I read it I couldn’t help but think, if only.  If only these things were taught in school.  If only these things were the focus and goals of each and every person on this planet.  So I decided to share it here.  As you read it I would like you to just take a moment to imagine a world where only these positive, empowering things are taught (instead of hate, division, and victimhood).  My hope is that everyone reading this will copy it and share it with their children, friends, family, co-worker, and so forth. Here is what I read.

Student Commitments

1. Respect myself & others
2. Always do my best
3. Love my family & others
4. Always think positive
5. Have confidence in all I do
6. Focus on my goals
7. Be humble
8. Be trustworthy
9. Practice Taekwondo to benefit myself & others
10. Always finish what I start

Seems simple enough but here is some truth.

Respect myself & others
We are living in a world where some people have been convinced that if your thoughts or ideas do not line up exactly with theirs they do not have to respect you.  They say and do horrible things.  It is funny because they do not realize that when you show a lack of respect for others it is because you lack respect and lack confidence in yourself.  When you respect yourself and when you have confidence in yourself what others think will not impact you!  What others think will not be a threat to you.

Always do my best
WOW!  What an explosive statement! Whatever happened to giving it your best and when you fell short you picked yourself up, dusted yourself off, and tried again.  We now live in a world where if you fall short it is everyone else’s fault.  We live in a world where everyone else is expected to alter their ways to make the other person feel better.  How about we take some responsibility?  How about we read about all those successful people and learn about all the struggles and challenges they went through to get to where they are?

Love my family & others
The most upsetting part of all the nonsense (and that is exactly what it is NONSENSE) going on is when I talk to family members who are no longer speaking because they have opposite views!  When I talk to kids and young adults who are being told to do whatever they want, ignore their parents, and forget their families!  Honestly, what is going on?  Again, I say it is those who truly do not love themselves that find reasons to not love others.  We need to start loving each other for who we are. That does not mean that the other person has to agree with everything we say and do.

Always think positive
Positive?  What is that?  The funny thing is the world really isn’t as horrible as some would like us to believe.  The truth is at any given MOMENT you can choose to shift your focus to more positive things.  You do not need anyone to do it for you!  You have the power within you to decide to see the world as you choose to see it!  Look for the positive in each day!  Don’t believe me?  Here is a challenge for you.  Go on a one-week news and social media break.  Go out into the real world and start interacting with real people!  You will be amazed at how wonderful people are and how much we all really do have in common!

Have confidence in all I do
Seriously, confident people don’t need to convince or convert you to their way of thinking.  People who judge and criticize are usually the ones who lack confidence.  They figure if they are always judging others than those people will not have time to judge them!  Trust me when I tell you if I listened to all the judgment about what I do for a living and didn’t have confidence in myself, I would have quit way back in week one!

Focus on my goals
I also like to refer to this as MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS.  Imagine if everyone empowered themselves by only focusing on their own goal.  Then once they reach that goal they choose another goal while also inspiring others by sharing how they accomplished that goal.  Wouldn’t it be nice if our schools taught our children the road map to success with all its ups, downs, and tips on how to keep going until you achieve that goal?  If I had the honor of putting together a class it would go like this, “Life can sometimes suck, people can be horrible, and life can throw you challenges that you will not think you will survive.  However, there will be those who have gone before you, those who will support you, and those you can learn from.  The best part is at the end of the day YOU will realize that YOU do have everything you need to accomplish whatever you set your mind to.  Just remember to NEVER allow anyone to make you think you are a victim!”  Class over!  You all get an A+++

Be humble
I love how everyone knows everything.  What happened to being humble, listening, and being thankful for all we have to share with each other?  There is not a week that goes by or a class I teach that I do not learn something.  Yes, if I am being honest it is a little annoying when my 8-year-old nephew knows more than me when it comes to technology and computers…lol!

Be trustworthy
The first person you need to learn to trust is yourself!  You can’t trust others if you do not trust yourself.  Trust yourself.  Be trustworthy.  Then watch all the trustworthy people you will attract in your life.

Practice Taekwondo to benefit myself & others
I really think having a daily practice is so essential to a balanced life.  Whether it is Yoga, Taekwondo, going to church, reading something positive every day…whatever helps to center yourself.  When you find your daily practice you will be in a much better place and have so much more to share with all those around you.

Always finish what I start
We need to STOP blaming others for our problems and for our failures.  People can only impact your life for the amount of time you allow them to.  Feeling stuck? Reach out to people who are QUALIFIED to assist you!  Empower yourself, make different choices, let go, and keep going until you reach the destination you set for yourself.  NEVER let anyone take away your dreams!  And STOP focusing on all the reasons, people, or situations that made you feel like you can’t.  You are the only one who can decide to keep going!

And that is that!  Now go and be great!