February 2005

 Word from the Editor
By Larry Chin

I’ve been at the dojo now for oh, I dunno, must be close to six or seven years now, and helping out and teaching for pretty close to that long. I actually started helping out when I was a yellow belt, but that’s another story.

The thing that always interests me though is that parents bring their children to the dojo for pretty much the same reasons. They want them to be schooled in a martial art to be able to protect themselves and to learn discipline and respect.

I think though, a lot of people miss the most important reason to undertake learning a martial art, and that is to learn the value of perseverance. Think about it. A martial art takes years to learn and then master. But when many adults join, and parents sign up their children, I don’t see a lot of consideration given to the fact that this is not like hockey or soccer, where the student does it for a season and then is done. This is a course of study that requires a true commitment of years to complete.

It is an excellent opportunity for children to be taught the value of persevering even in the face of adversity, maybe they don’t advance through one of the higher belts as quickly as they would like, maybe they aren’t having as much fun because they have to work harder. Whatever the case, as my grandmother used to say “if it doesn’t kill you, it will make you strong”.

So many things that used to be regarded as important are treated with cavalier disregard today. Don’t like your job, go on unemployment. Don’t like school, drop out. Don’t like your marriage, get a divorce. Even voting for our government is not an exercise in choosing the best candidate, but rather choosing the least undesirable of equally unsuitable candidates. This steady march to mediocrity and an attitude of “I can’t be bothered ” cannot be what we want for our children. What better way to reverse this trend today toward mediocrity than to teach our children the value of perseverance and responsibility. Let them realize that having embarked on a study of the martial arts, that they must see it through to the ultimate goal – their black belt.

I know from personal experience with my children and some of the advanced students, that not only do they gain a valuable lesson in “sticking to something no matter what”, but they also get a tremendous sense of accomplishment that will influence them in their lives for a very long time. Personal experience has shown that other things that are gained in the course of not leaving the journey unfinished are things like improved work ethic, improved self esteem and self confidence and a sense of pride.

Of course having said all that the question is, did we ourselves learn the lessons of perseverance that we can now pass on to our children, or are we one of those people who say “I can’t be bothered”.

 

Housekeeping

1. If you do not receive the newsletter by email, please send your email address to me at sensei_larry@kumojiujitsu.com, and I will add your name to the email distribution list. This list is also used for dojo business ONLY, things like sending last minute or emergency notices and of course the newsletter. We don't use email addresess for anything else, nor do we release email addresses to anyone.
2. Students, please remember that shoes belong in the shoe racks and are not to be left strewn about the floor, where they can present a tripping hazard block he aisle way and when it snows, create a minor swamp of melted snow.
3. Next all belt grading will take place on April 2^nd, 2005. Warm up is at 10, grading starts at 10:30 sharp. Pre-grading will take place on Monday March 28, Wednesday March 30, and Friday April 1.

 Dojo Closures

The following are the dates that the dojo will be closed. Please keep this handy for future reference. A copy will also be posted on the lobby bulleting board.

Good Friday: Friday March 25
Easter Monday: Monday March 28
Victoria Day: Monday May 23
Canada Day: Friday July 1
Civic Holiday: Monday August 1
Labour Day: Monday September 5
Thanksgiving: Monday October 10
Christmas: Friday Dec 23 2005 - Monday Jan. 2 2006

If there are any public holidays that I’ve missed please let me know and I’ll add them, but I think that’s all of them.

 

 World Kobudo Federation (WKF) Membership 2005 Fee - $20.00

Don’t forget that  your WKF fees are now due. The fees can be given to Alison in the office.

For only $20.00, your WKF membership fee includes some of the following benefits:

• Being part of A recognized world wide organization
• Invitation to special events, conventions and tournaments for a discounted price (eg.  Capital Conquest)
• Exclusive invitation to special seminars given by world renown instructors (eg.  past seminars held with Dan Severn and Renzo Gracie) WKF Belt Certificates and WKF Badges available for a minimal price
• WKF Passport Membership Handbook
• $2,000,000 liability insurance per member covered up until March 31, 2005.