tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77299944968178716432024-02-21T00:26:20.529-08:00BLOGAction Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-75907462093155217632014-01-28T07:02:00.002-08:002014-01-28T07:02:17.425-08:00TRY<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> As I was driving to the
studio this week, I left my house in such a huff. I wanted to be a little
earlier to refresh myself on the work that needed to be done for the week. Mr.
C left the studio in my hands for a few weeks so he can recuperate from his knee
surgery. I had a lot on my plate, and wanted to make sure classes started off
without a hitch. I was under a lot of pressure at home, work, and school; my
final essay is due for my English class and I had two days to finish it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before
I was ready to leave the house my dog did a number on the kitchen trash and I
was terribly upset that I had to clean it up. The broom was missing, the dust
buster was dead, and I was late for work. Kids left my kitchen a mess again
which I had just cleaned up that morning. My laundry that was in the washer
somehow made it all into the dryer (which I dislike very much, I prefer to air
dry some things). My tee shirt that I adore is now toddler sized. I yelled at
my kids, they became upset. “I was just trying to help”. Sure, I didn't buy it.
The curriculum I was working for the week failed to upload to the studios iPad.
It was Stripe Week – can I handle this? All these little small things collided
once I actually got in the car. I was annoyed, a little angry. No, I was a lot
angry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Going to work for the first
day as the Head Instructor was a big deal and I was blowing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am fuming by now, the 2:30
train decided to make an early appearance. I am out of gas, the car is filthy
inside and out. Every little thing is starting to stress me out! I really
needed to cool off – what kind of attitude is this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I decide to turn on the
radio to block out the stress. Started to hum a tune that I had heard before. I
knew it was from P!nk, but I could not remember the name of the song, but it
was catchy. The lyrics went as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Where
there is desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There
is gonna be a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where
there is a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone's
bound to get burned<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">But
just because it burns<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't
mean you're gonna die<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've
gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gotta
get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
gotta get up and try, and try, and try"</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok, I get it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After hearing the chorus in my head the entire ride to work,
I pull up to find a snow-covered sidewalk. Ok here it goes again, I am reciting
this repeatedly now. Shovel. Salt. I really want this night of classes to go
well.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Where there is desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There is gonna be a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where there is a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone's bound to get burned<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">But just because it burns<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't mean you're gonna die<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> You gotta get up and try, and try, and try"</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alright. Lets get this week rolling. Wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
iPad is dead. Charge. Trash leaked all over the entryway. Clean
it up. Studio is smoking hot. Hmmm… Mr. O will need to work on that one – that's
righ: delegate. Office key broke, I have a spare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we go, deep breaths, this night needs to
go well, its my first one for weeks to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Where there is desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There is gonna be a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where there is a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone's bound to get burned<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">But just because it burns<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't mean you're gonna die<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> You gotta get up and try, and try, and try"</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
ASAH Sharks are piling in and they are in rare form. I think
back to how Mr. C. handles this class, and I do everything I can to keep it
under control. They crack me up. Tried a new technique to get their attention.
It WORKS! Woah.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ninjas are hysterical, I tried very hard to keep them
focused. It is Monday, after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Where there is desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There is gonna be a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where there is a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone's bound to get burned<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">But just because it burns<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't mean you're gonna die<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> You gotta get up and try, and try, and try"</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can do this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the night I realized how incredibly silly I
was for blowing the entire process of getting to work out of proportion.
Sometimes all you have to do is get through the job at hand and try your best
to make it work. Work with what you have. Maybe try something new; if isn’t
working, try something else. Try to breathe. Try to rely on the talent
surrounding you to help you out when you need it. Try going to work, school,
home with a clear head. Try not to let the little things get you down. Because
they are very little; who needs a clean car or a perfectly fitted tee shirt? Is
that really important? What was important was my attitude. If you have a great
attitude and you truly are focused the job will get done. Sure, little things
might happen along the way, but did you try your best? Everybody you meet, work
with or come in contact with has no idea your dog ate the trash. Do they care?
No, they care about the smile or the high-five you give. They way you say I’m
AWESOME – how are you, thank you for asking! Turn the dog ate my trash into a
lesson of the week, the Ninjas cracked up at that one. They said “Miss Anne,
maybe she was just hungry?” I felt better about it too. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And when I drove home that night, happy that the studio
didn't implode, explode, nobody complained or was hurt and the classes went
well, this song came on the radio again:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Where there is desire<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">There is gonna be a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where there is a flame<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Someone's bound to get burned<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">But just because it burns<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doesn't mean you're gonna die<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gotta get up and try, and try, and try<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> You gotta get up and try, and try, and try"</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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As I sat down I was talking to Mr. C, he asked how classes
went for my first night. I replied AWESOME. I thought about how incredibly
strong he is, I am sure these things happen to him also. He is going to have a
tough road of recuperating ahead of him. But does he ever lay down and give up?
Never. He is trying right now to walk. Trying to work through the pain. Trying
to convince me he will be back in three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know classes will be different without him there, but I am going to
try my best to keep going. Never give up, never give in. ~ Miss Anne<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com111 Penns Trail, Newtown, PA 18940, USA40.228735 -74.9100960000000115.642358999999999 -116.21869000000001 64.815111 -33.601502000000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-89836528568035211502014-01-10T07:59:00.000-08:002014-01-10T07:59:00.542-08:00Exercise Habits<div class="MsoNormal">
Seven Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Workouts<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s that time again—new year, new goals. But do you find
that you set the same “new goal” every year? Why do you start of strong on your
way to your fitness goals, but by May stop seeing results? Even though you are
working out, it could be the way you’re working out that limits the progress
you see. Try the tips below to get the most out of your fitness routine this
year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Choose
workouts that use natural motions like walking, running, jumping, balancing, crawling,
climbing, swimming, lifting, carrying, throwing, and catching. These movements
usually work the whole body and also help you work on coordination. Not only
that, but these are all movements you might use in your everyday life.
Practicing them in your daily workout means less chance of injury when you have
to lift a heavy couch, crawl under the table to retrieve a lost toy, or even
play catch with your kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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short periods of intense exercise, rather than long periods of moderate
exercise. Intense, plyometric exercises burn more calories than longer
sustained workouts. Plus, I’m sure you could use a little more time in your
day. You’ll see better results with 30 minutes of nonstop exercise than an hour
of moderate exercise, and you’ll add an extra 30 minutes to your day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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breaks and down time. We’ve all seen those people at the gym who seem like they
are there to socialize instead of to work out. It’s not enough to go to the
gym. You could stand around and talk in your backyard. When you workout,
whether at the gym or at home, do so with a plan and a time frame. You only
have so many minutes in the day to workout, you want to get the most out of
each and every minute.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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strength training. Many people think that cardio is the most important and most
effective exercise. While cardio is important, you need a blend of cardio and
strength training to get the best results. Straining gets your heart rate up,
burns calories, and develops lean muscle mass. Building muscle means they are able
to work all day, burning more calories even when you aren’t working out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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water. It’s important to stay hydrated throughout your day, especially when
you’re working out. Avoid sports drinks that are full of sugar and empty
calories. If you miss the boost that those drinks give you during your workout,
try eating a healthy snack or small breakfast about 45 minutes before you work
out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Incorporate
a variety of exercises. If you’ve been jogging several times a week for years,
running a few miles might be really easy for you, but then you pick up your
toddler and pull a back muscle. You might lift weights at the gym every day,
but can’t keep up with your dog when you take him out for a walk. Our bodies
become accustomed to the movements we do all the time, so doing the same
exercises every day becomes less effective over time. By mixing it up you force
your body to work harder and therefore burn more calories. Not only that, it
will keep things interesting so you don’t get bored with your workout.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Workout
with a partner. Not many people can motivate themselves to work their hardest
each and every time. Working out with a friend will hold you accountable—you’ll
have to show up at the gym when you say you’ll be there—and also makes you work
harder, sometimes without realizing it. Who doesn’t love a healthy sense of
competition?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Contributed
by Solomon Brenner head instructor for Action Karate and Zen fitness. Question
please call 1-888-99-SHARK<o:p></o:p></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-65002285781507268472014-01-07T07:58:00.000-08:002014-01-07T07:59:58.231-08:00Preparation<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Everyone knows that your diet and
exercise habits are what determine your physical fitness. If you want to lose
weight by just exercising without changing an unhealthy diet, you’re probably
not going to seem maximum results. Getting in shape is about 20 percent
exercise and 80 percent nutrition.</div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Many people find it difficult to
eat healthy because of a busy schedule. They don’t have time to prepare fresh
foods for every meal or they find themselves stopping at a lot of fast food
restaurants between obligations.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes,
it’s difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. They key to success for
any nutrition plan is preparation. Below are some tips to help you prepare
yourself for your new healthy lifestyle.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Pick a day in the week
when you can have a lot of fresh ingredients prepared to use throughout
the week (boil eggs, cook quinoa, chop vegetables, etc). Keep them in
clear containers on the middles shelf of your fridge: you want the
healthiest foods to be at eye level when you open your fridge, because those
are the things you will reach for most often. This will help you avoid
those convenient processed foods.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Use a slow cooker that you
can leave on during the day so you have a hot meal ready for you when you
get home.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">When you do have time to
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frozen meals ready to reheat whenever you need them.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Make a big salad on Sunday
night and use it for lunches throughout the week so that you aren’t
tempted by unhealthy takeout food at work. Add different proteins, nuts or
fruit each day to add some variety. Avoid creamy dressings and opt instead
for easy options like lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Keep healthy snacks like
nuts or fruit with you at work, so that when hunger strikes you’re not
stuck with the unhealthy options the vending machine has to offer.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">If you eat out a lot, plan
ahead before you go. Check out the menu and decide ahead of time what
you’re going to get so you can choose the healthiest options or know what
modifications you need to ask for to a menu item to make it a healthy
option. If it’s a large portion, ask for a to-go container when the food
comes out, so that you can eat half and use the other half for another
meal the next day.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<br /></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1;">Know which “fast food”
restaurants around your work, home, and children’s school have healthy
options like salads (just be mindful of dressing choice), clear (not
creamy) soups, or grilled chicken. While some of these options will still
be pretty high in sodium, it’s better than the alternative of a Big Mac
with fries.<o:p></o:p></li>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Contributed
by Solomon Brenner head instructor for Action Karate and Zen Fitness 1-888-99-SHARK<o:p></o:p></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-26741588111499611462013-07-24T20:54:00.001-07:002013-07-24T20:55:05.913-07:00ARE YOU CREATING A QUITTER?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Summer vacation is finally here, and now that school is done
your child might also be ready to put an end to his other commitments. Whether
it’s the baseball team, summer camp, or karate class, it is inevitable that at
some point your child is going to want to quit. So how do you handle it?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First, realize that this is a great opportunity to talk to
your child about perseverance, which s a life skill that is absolutely vital to
his success. You can talk about perseverance until you’re blue in the face, but
until the time comes when your child actually wants to quit it’s difficult to
put it into practice.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There are a couple instances in which it is okay to let your
child quit. First, if it is an unsafe environment. If during any activity,
there are clearly unsafe conditions you must remove your child from that
environment. No activity is worth the
chance of a serious injury. The second
is if the activity has no value.
Families are just too busy nowadays to participate in any activity that
is not going to increase their child’s chances for success. Any activity your child participates in
should help him to become more confident, more disciplined, and more focused.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Most the time, however, quitting should not be an option.
What if your child says he is bored? Boredom is often a sign that your child just
needs to be challenged differently. If your child says he’s bored, talk to the
coach, counselor, or instructor about what you can do to re-motivate him so he
can continue to grow. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>He might say it’s too hard, but the only way to experience
growth is to step outside of your comfort zone.
In any kind of development, it has to be hard before it is easy. Working through that discomfort or difficulty
is what is going to give your child the confidence to overcome other obstacles
in the future. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Another reason kids want to quit is that they are involved
in too many activities. One of the most important lessons we can teach is time
management and how to prioritize commitments.
If your child committed to something, now is a great time to teach those
lessons. Once the commitment is
fulfilled, talk as a family about which activities you all think are most
important to continue. Remember to give more weight to those activities that
have more value.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many times a child will want to quit when starting a new
grade or school. We know one of the best
ways to develop confidence is through past experience. In times of transition, whether it’s starting
a new school or a new grade, it’s important that children have something
consistent that they know they’re good at.
Even with an increased workload, they should have a positive, structured
after-school activity that will help to develop focus and good work habits.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You might feel bad about forcing your child to stick with
it, but why? It’s good for him, isn’t it? You force him to brush his teeth,
take baths, eat his vegetables, turn off the TV and do his homework, right?
This should be no different. As a parent it is your responsibility to look out
for your child’s best interest even when they don’t like what that means in the
short term.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed
by Solomon Brenner master instructor <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/" target="_blank">Action Karate</a> and Author of Black Belt
Parenting: The Art of Raising Your Child for Success</i></span></span>Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-80504531254109332792013-06-26T21:12:00.000-07:002013-06-26T21:12:51.965-07:00GET IT DONE<br />
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="s3">Let’s say an old friend called you up today and said, “I have a couple extra tickets for a group trip to the </span><span class="s3">Bahamas</span><span class="s3">. My boss is flying us down on his private jet, we’re staying at his villa right on the beach, you can bring a friend and it won’t cost you a dime.” Right now you’re thinking, </span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">Okay, let’s go!</span><span class="s3"> But then your friend says, “We leave tomorrow morning at 8am.” Your brain immediately starts thinking about all the things you’d have to do before you can leave and you ask the friend if you can call him back and let him know.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">You wonder how you’ll possibly get it all done in time. Right away you start making a list of all the things you have to do, then you rank them in order of priority. You delegate some of the responsibilities to others, and plan out how and when you can get the rest done. You call your friend back and say, “You know what, my schedule just cleared up for tomorrow. See you on the tarmac!”</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">If this scenario were true, you would probably accomplish more in one day than you usually do all week. So why don’t you go to the </span><span class="s3">Bahamas</span><span class="s3"> tomorrow—every day? List all the things you have to do in the next three days and act as if you only have one day to get it all done. This will force you to think, plan and delegate before you start working.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">People often complain about a lack of time, but what they are really lacking is direction. By changing general goals or “to-dos” into specific self-direction, you can accomplish so much more than you usually do, allowing you to go to the Bahamas—or anywhere else you want to go—in the tomorrows of your life.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">Procrastination is a habit, but it only takes three weeks to create a new habit, one that involves getting the most out of every day. By immediately taking care of the things you have to do, you will have much more time to do the things you want to do. Time can be an ally or an enemy—it all depends on your determination to use it fully.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">I find that writing things down—goals, to-do lists, reminders—keeps me organized and makes it possible to achieve more. Be as specific as possible in your goals and set a timeline for yourself. No one else is going to hold you accountable—you have to be your own referee, coach and cheerleader. That means admitting when something didn’t work, figuring out how to do it better next time, and giving yourself a pat on the back each time you make progress, rather than punishing yourself when you don’t do something you needed to.</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="s2">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="padding-left: 36px;"></span><span class="s3">This kind of self-discipline takes a lot of practice, and for that reason it’s something you should try to teach your kids at a young age. For kids, pretty much everything they do is based on someone else holding them accountable. They do their homework because if they don’t, their teacher will discipline them. They do their chores because if they don’t, their parents will discipline them.</span></b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="s3"><br /></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s5" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When they grow up, however, there won’t always be someone there to hold them accountable. That’s why it’s important for you to set the example that doing things you don’t necessarily want to do has its benefits. If you live every day to be as productive as possible, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sit on a beach—and do nothing.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="s5" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="s5" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span class="s3" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Contributed by Author of Black Belt Parenting and Action Karate Master instructor Solomon Brenner</i></b></span></span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-10183258901028004092013-04-18T10:38:00.000-07:002013-04-18T10:38:20.536-07:00THERE AIN'T NO FREE LUNCH<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Many years ago a wise old king called the most intelligent
men in his kingdom together and gave them an assignment. He wanted them to
compile the wisdom of the ages and put it in book form to leave it for
posterity.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The wise men
worked for a long period of time, then finally returned with twelve volumes
they proclaimed held the wisdom of the ages. The king looked at the twelve
volumes and, concerned that no one would want to read such a lengthy
collection, asked the wise men to condense it. The wise men again went off and
worked for a long time to condense it, finally returning with one volume. The
king, however, knew that it was still too long, so he told them to further
condense their work.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">The wise men reduced the volume to
a chapter, and then to a page, then to a paragraph, and finally to a sentence.
When the king saw the sentence, he was absolutely thrilled and said,
“Gentlemen, this is truly the wisdom of the ages, and as soon as all men
everywhere learn this truth, then most of our problems will be solved.” The
sentence simply said, “There is no free lunch.”</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Many times the reason we become
disappointed or discouraged when trying to reach a goal is because we have
unrealistic expectations. You can’t eat whatever you want and exercise only
when you feel like it and expect to lose weight. You can’t skate by doing the
bare minimum at work and expect a promotion. You have to work for everything
that you want.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Hard work can sometimes seem like a
dirty word, and there are those who avoid it like the plague, but when you get
down to it good old hard work is usually the best answer for how to get from
where you are now to where you want to be.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Some goals can seem dauntingly
large. Breaking it down can help it seem more manageable. Create a schedule for
yourself in which you work towards your goal a certain amount of time everyday.
Take classes, attend seminars, read books. Do all that you can to prepare
yourself for success and create the right mindset for what you want to achieve.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">You as an adult know that no one is
going to hand you things just because you want or ask for them, so why treat
your children that way? It’s tough saying no sometimes, but you are the parent
and have to think about the lessons you are teaching you kids when you give in
to their demands.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">You’ve probably been in this
situation before: you’re in the store and your child is insisting that he must
have a toy. Your instinct is to quiet your child immediately by whatever means,
especially if he’s crossed over into tantrum mode.</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;">Instead of handing over the goods,
make your child work for the things he wants. For young children, create a
system by which they can earn a special treat by doing chores or being extra
nice to their siblings. If they are older, you can let them buy it themselves
once they have earned the money through chores or a part-time job. This can
teach them a great sense of responsibility. That way when they are out on their
own they won’t expect the world handed to them—they’ll know there’s no free lunch.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner
Author of Black Belt Parenting and Master Instructor for Action Karate</i></span></span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-52828539666338490902013-04-12T10:18:00.000-07:002013-04-12T10:24:05.326-07:00WHAT FLEAS CAN TEACH YOU<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ever wonder how people train fleas for a flea circus? Probably not, but the flea trainers actually have an important lesson to teach us about reaching our full potential.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You train fleas by putting them in a jar with a lid on top of it. Fleas jump, so initially they will jump and hit the lid of the jar over and over again. Eventually, they will stop hitting the lid. They adjust the height at which they jump to prevent themselves from hitting the hard surface. You can then take the lid off the jar and the fleas won’t jump out. They have conditioned themselves to jump to a certain height, so they won’t ever jump higher than that.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>People are the same way. When we first start going after our goals or ambitions, life seems limitless. Along the way we hit roadblocks, fall down and drag ourselves back up again. We are susceptible to the negative influence of other people. Eventually we stop trying to jump quite so high. The realm of possibility seems much smaller.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A great example of this is Roger Bannister. In 1954, the thought of a runner doing a four-minute mile was unheard of. Everyone, trainers and doctors alike, agreed that it could not be done. Roger Bannister didn’t let this lid keep him down. In 1954 he ran the first four-minute mile. Less than six weeks later another runner broke the barrier. Soon athletes the world over started running four-minute miles.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So what happened in those six weeks? People didn’t suddenly become physically faster. The barrier was mental, not physical. People were breaking it because someone had shown them it was possible.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Creating these mental blocks for yourself (or letting them be created by others) cheats you of your true potential. The second you think, “I can’t,” it becomes true. If you don’t believe you can do something, there’s no way you’re even going to try, let alone succeed.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For example, let’s say you want to start your own business, but then tell yourself there’s just no way you’ll ever be able to afford the initial investment you need. You’ve just officially given up on your goal. You will never open your business because you’ve told yourself that it’s impossible.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Instead of saying, “I can’t,” start thinking, “how can I?” You open yourself up to a whole new world of possibilities. Maybe you couldn’t afford the investment by yourself, but by changing the terms of your thinking you might find another way to attain outside investors. Always explore more than one avenue. <u>The mind is like a parachute: it only works if it’s open. With the right mindset, you can jump out of the jar.</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner Author of Black belt Parenting and Master Instructor for Action Karate.</i></span><br />
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-72277164977710968472013-04-08T11:13:00.002-07:002013-04-12T10:14:06.154-07:00APRIL NEWSLETTER<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.981769561767578px;"><b>We were thrilled to see so many of you at the AK5K yesterday. It was a beautiful day for the event! Coming up next is the <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/demo_team.html" target="_blank">Action Karate</a> Invitational. Hope to see you there. ASAH!</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 17.981769561767578px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-47548819778185520682013-03-08T10:11:00.000-08:002013-03-08T10:18:35.647-08:00REMEMBERING MARK HOWIE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Last week we lost a very wonderful assistant instructor, Mr. Mark Howie. In his memory, his friend Mr. Joe Collins wanted to share these kind words. </b></span></div>
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<br />Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-89935317506727889672013-03-05T10:50:00.001-08:002013-03-05T10:50:56.085-08:00MARCH NEWSLETTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.99479103088379px;"><b>Check out the March edition of the <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/" target="_blank">Action Karate Newtown</a> monthly newsletter. We have some great events coming up. Hope to see you there. ASAH!</b></span></span></div>
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<br />Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-1106269740478087592013-02-25T06:53:00.003-08:002013-02-25T06:53:58.174-08:00Post-Promotion Humility<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a big week of Promotion nights, I take a few minutes every Friday and reflect on the past weeks events, and if any changes could have been made. “Tweaking”, we call it. We often learn that things we thought would work didn’t, and things we were worried about, went very well. Nothing is ever going to be perfect, but we can always strive to make it even more awesome for the next time.<br />We now know that we may need to block out more time, have more available seating, and resolve a small parking issue. Nothing earth shattering. Over the years we have streamlined the promotion process, and I have to admit, I was very pleased with how efficient the nights were!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love my job. When someone asks me what I do for a living, I say I have fun working with my kids. My kids. Not my students, not the yellow belts. My kids. I try my best to take the time out of every class to chat with a few of them. Find out how they are doing, how school is going, what they ate for lunch. It does not matter to me if they are shy, nervous, bold, brave, disabled, blind or outgoing. I want to learn everything about them. It helps me stay grounded, and gives me humility when I think I have it all covered. Promotion nights to me are the times when families come together to watch their child promote, succeed, and overcome challenges. I have seen parents cry, laugh, cheer, and wave banners. It can get a little crazy in the parent seating area sometimes! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We work very hard to make it a “different” type of fun. When the week is over, complete and utter exhaustion sets in right around 12:00 on Saturday. Our brains are mush. Our bodies are hurting. We are looking for a nice sunny vacation. But then, on Sunday night we remember why we do what we do and pick ourselves up and set up a brand new rotation for the following Monday. New forms, katas, kicks, punches and drills. Exciting stuff! Games, goals, sparring drills, and ASAH Shark silliness. We set our yearly calendars to promotion weeks. It is a goal for us, just like it is for the kids. And for the adults also!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last week something wonderful happened at one of the promotion nights. One of my kids was very nervous about performing an advanced kata called Tiger. This young woman has been through a lot since the day she came into this world. Over the last five years I have watched her grow and blossom into a lovely, smart, caring, BRAVE person. A front kick five inches off the floor was a huge challenge for her when she first walked into my studio. She never gave up, always tried harder; she sets goals for herself and achieves every one. She earned her Junior Black Belt alongside the rest of her class with zero complaints. With a smile on her face the entire time. Now, if you have tested for your Black Belt, you understand how tough it can be. She pushed the other kids to keep going when they wanted to give up!<br />Last night, she admitted to me that Tiger kata can be intimidating. I agree! She felt she needed a guide next to her for balance issues. I have to admit, I was nervous, I haven’t performed Tiger in front of a large group in a long time. When it was her turn to perform, I stood right next to her, we did the kata together. And when it was all over, I felt my heart burst out of my chest. I have never been so humbled to the point of tears. I am so incredibly proud of this young lady. A standing ovation, cheers, cow bells were ringing - it was overwhelming. One simple phrase “Thank you Miss Anne” and a HUGE smile on her face made it the best night ever. That was more than enough.<br />Jenna, you are my inspiration. Thank you for grounding me this week, helping me overcome my personal challenges, and making promotion night at 7:00 Thursday, February 21st the most inspirational night of the year. You ROCK! I wish you success in everything you do in your life. Thank you for being a part of my fun job, and my life. You made me remember why I do what I do and why I love it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. Tiger kata ROCKS! Chhhh……</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Miss Anne<br />Instructor, Action Karate Newtown</span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-46626680707756984592013-02-22T10:04:00.001-08:002013-02-22T10:04:12.817-08:00EYE ON THE PRIZE<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The air on the Santa Monica pier is usually alive with the emissions of countless biological organisms, giving it that fresh, faintly fish-smelling sourness that lets you know that you're in the midst of life. And this despite the fact that tons of raw sewage are dumped there into the Pacific every day. So, it was a natural choice a few Saturdays ago to head down to the sea for some lunch and some air.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As I got toward the end of the pier, I noticed a large barrel by the door of one of the restaurants. As I got closer I could see that the barrel was full of live crabs, clawing, clanking, crawling all over each other. I looked around and saw no one near the barrel and I thought to myself how could anyone leave a barrel full of crabs outside? Wouldn't more than one of them with aspirations of sweet freedom crawl out and take a headlong dive a la Greg Louganis into the deep blue? This was bad business practice I said and I went inside to tell the manager I thought so.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I found the honcho and began laying it down. What were you thinking? A bucket full of live crabs near the water? I told him he was a fool for leaving so much of his business to chance, and at the sound of these words, the man perked up and began to fire back.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"You're the fool," he told me calmly. "Go outside and watch those crabs!"</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I wondered what he was talking about. Perhaps there was someone outside watching the beasts to make sure they wouldn't crawl away; some young teenager perhaps in need of a summer job to pay for his martial arts classes. Or perhaps there was a clear lid on top of the barrel I had missed in my earlier observation.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But as I got outside, I looked and there was no one watching and no lid over them. But what I did see was remarkable. In the orgiastic clambering, if one of the animals attempted to crawl over the side of the barrel, the others around it would latch on and pull it back down into the abyss of crab Hades. None of the crabs could get out because the others made sure to it; it's in their nature.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There was a lesson to be learned there on that pier. There are crab equivalents in my life, I thought. There are those around me that try to pull me back down when I have my eye on the prize; the kind of people who, not always intentionally, draw me away from the goals I've set for myself.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We all want out of the bucket; in fact we go through great lengths to make sure that someday we will. But we all have crabs around us; boyfriend or girlfriend crabs, mother, father crabs, best friend crabs; the people who call us up to go out to a movie when it's time to train. And maybe it's in people's nature as well, after all, no one wants to go to a movie alone.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then I realized there isn't much I can do to minimize my contact with some of those people around me because they're so close to me, but what I can do is keep my eye on the prize, stay focused on my vision and stick to the flight plan like I talked about before. The crabs may get their claws on my body, but if my mind can escape their grip, then the body will soon follow.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The grip of prying claws may not be easy to escape, but there are great rewards beyond the boundaries of the confining barrel. If you are able to identify those who are keeping you back, and free yourself from the allure of slacking off, you will find a vast ocean waiting for you to escape into as well.</b></span><br />
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-7466464614857755652013-02-15T11:16:00.001-08:002013-02-15T11:16:09.025-08:00Action Karate Newtown Awarded Business of the Year<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/" target="_blank">Action Karate Newtown</a> has been awarded Business of the Year by the Newtown Business Association for 2012! Chosen by the Board out of over 250 businesses in Newtown. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This distinguished award is to honor and recognize an exemplary NBA business. The companies members had dedicated, time, support, and participation, in an effort to help the NBA as an organization, in turn supporting the NBA's mission of promoting Newtown as an ideal place to live, shop, and work.</b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To celebrate this accomplishment, we are offering a $20.12 Deal for NEW students. You will receive a <i>First Lesson, Uniform, and a Free month of class</i>. If you enroll during your month, you will receive a discount of $20.12 on your tuition for the first 9 months! </b></div>
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-11454078735127315402013-02-15T11:05:00.000-08:002013-02-15T11:05:29.828-08:00ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are only two ways to change your own attitude:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.) Change your physiology: practice being in slumped position. Then go to good posture. …clapping jumping…fist pump, etc.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.) Ask your self the right questions - What am I happy about this week? What am I proud of?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The process of human change begins within us. We all have tremendous potential. We all desire good results from our efforts. Most of us are willing to work hard and to pay the price that success and happiness demand.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each of us has the ability to put our unique human potential into action and to acquire a desired result. But the one thing that determines the level of our potential—that produces the intensity of our activity and predicts the quality of the result we receive—is our attitude.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attitude determines how much of the future we are allowed to see. It decides the size of our dreams and influences our determination when we are faced with new challenges. No other person on earth has dominion over our attitude. People can affect our attitude by teaching us poor thinking habits or unintentionally misinforming us or providing us with negative sources of influence, but no one can control our attitude unless we voluntarily surrender that control.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one else "makes us angry." We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude. What someone else may have done is irrelevant. We choose, not they. They merely put our attitude to a test. If we select a volatile attitude by becoming hostile, angry, jealous or suspicious, then we have failed the test. If we condemn ourselves by believing that we are unworthy, then again, we have failed the test.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we care at all about ourselves, then we must accept full responsibility for our own feelings. We must learn to guard against those feelings that have the capacity to lead our attitude down the wrong path and to strengthen those feelings that can lead us confidently into a better future.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we want to receive the rewards the future holds in trust for us, then we must exercise the most important choice given to us as members of the human race by maintaining total dominion over our attitude. Our attitude is an asset, a treasure of great value, which must be protected accordingly. Beware of the vandals and thieves among us who would injure our positive attitude or seek to steal it away.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy and a positive attitude about ourselves and the world around us gives us an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all the other areas of our existence.</span></b><br />
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-58885856179415121062013-02-13T10:06:00.000-08:002013-02-13T10:06:00.089-08:00FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you haven't had a chance to yet, you can check out the <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/" target="_blank">Action Karate Newtown</a> monthly newsletter on our blog for updates and announcements. You can also pickup a copy in our parent area during class. ASAH!</b></span></div>
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<br />Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-82569425278066175372013-02-07T11:31:00.003-08:002013-02-07T11:31:26.745-08:00WHAT IS TACT?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Everyone has been taught that honesty is the best policy. The truth is not always pretty, however. Sometimes the blunt truth can be extremely hurtful. Tact is the ability to know how to express the truth in carefully worded terms to avoid hurting others’ feelings. If you must make a statement that could upset another person, then use the skill of tact to say it in the least hurtful way. Tact will also help you to avoid insults and rude replies.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As a martial artist, you should use tact as a natural part of your everyday manners. It’s the responsibility of every martial artist to protect others, and that includes their feelings. Feelings are extremely valuable to people. It is important that you always protect those feelings by learning and using tact. Let’s explore some examples of tact and how to use it correctly.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Example 1</i>: One of your classmates invites you to his birthday party. A rude reply: “I don’t like you, so I won’t be there.” A tactful reply: “I won’t be able to make it, but thank you for the invitation.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Example 2</i>: Your friend asks you, “Do you like my new shoes?” A rude reply: “Those shoes are ugly.” A tactful reply: “They’re not my style, but they look good on you.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Example 3</i>: You are visiting a friend’s house and his mom serves meatloaf, which you do not like. A rude comment: “I hate meatloaf.” A tactful reply: “I do not usually eat meatloaf, but thank you for offering me dinner.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In each situation above, there is the potential to hurt the other person’s feelings. By making a tactful reply, you demonstrate good character. You should choose the tactful way to respond all of the time. Remember, you need not lie to be tactful. You are tactful because you care about others’ feelings, and you want to avoid hurting or offending them.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>People who use tact tend to have more friends and they are better leaders. They attract people because they make others feel good. If you want to be a great friend and leader, then you should always think about using tact when speaking with others.</b></span><br />
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-721416664801739532013-01-29T10:31:00.000-08:002013-01-29T10:31:03.946-08:00SELF-ESTEEM<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Self-esteem is an important tool in your child’s development. The way a person views himself affects not only the way the rest of the world sees him, but also how far he will go in life. If a child lacks the self-esteem needed to work towards his goals, they are never going to reach them.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One way children develop their self-esteem is through praise. For children, especially at a young age, this may be one of the only ways they can judge right from wrong. Praising children when they do something right, behave well or even give something their best effort will encourage them to continue acting that way.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Something you might try in your own home to help a child’s self-esteem is setting up a star chart, similar to what many school teachers do. If the child does a good deed or is especially good all day, they get a gold star on their chart. Each time they misbehave, a star is taken away. Set up a certain number of stars the child needs to reach in order to get a special prize like a trip to the park or their favorite dinner.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As your children pursue their goals, they will turn to you for help. Simply praising everything they do will leave them no room for growth, but don’t set them up for disappointment by aiming for perfection either. Instead, set reasonable expectations and goals for improvement. By taking on a method of constructive criticism that reflects the positive aspects of your child’s attempts but also gives suggestions for improvement, you will help them overcome obstacles that may get in the way of reaching their goals as well as give them a healthy self-esteem. Be sure to point out something positive before and after you give suggestions for improvement. Always criticize privately and praise publicly.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When pointing out the negative and the positive at the same time, it is important not to use the word “but,” which will cause your child to focus on only the negative aspect. It puts a wall between what they are doing wrong and how they can improve. For example, compare these two sentences: “Great job finishing all of your homework, but these two questions are wrong.” “Great job finishing your homework. You might want to look these two questions over again.” Do you see how the first sentence seems only to point out the flaw? The second sentence not only offers praise for the homework being done, but it also offers suggestion for improvement.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Letting your children be themselves is an important part of giving them high self-esteem. If you are judging them all the time, they will eventually come to view everyone’s judgment as a dictation of how they should act. They should learn that it doesn’t matter what other people think as long as you believe you are being true to yourself and doing the right thing.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>To encourage individuality at a young age, let your children pick out which clothes they want to wear. As long as you make sure it is weather-appropriate, this is a great way for them to express themselves and get a sense of independence. Be sure to praise the great job they did, even if the clothes don’t exactly match. Letting children make harmless decisions when they are young is good practice for real decision making when they are older.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Self-esteem is not something that your children can learn. It is something that needs to be developed and nurtured in order to grow. You don’t want your child thinking he or she is better than everyone else, but having a strong sense of self-esteem in essential to your child’s success in life.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner. Author Black Belt Parenting "the art of raising your child for success" Master instructor of <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/" target="_blank">Action Karate</a></i></span><br />
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-30178513260376619992013-01-14T11:11:00.000-08:002013-01-14T11:11:42.339-08:00WHO ARE YOU WORKING FOR?<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A group of rail workers were doing some repairs at a railway station when a train rolled to a stop. The president of the railroad company they worked for stepped off the train, and spotted one of the workers there. “Dave! How great to see you. Why don’t you step into my car for a bit?”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dave joined the president in his train car, which was fitted with all the modern fixtures and amenities that any person could wish for. The car had heating and air conditioning, a TV, reclining seats and ample legroom. It was twice as large as any of the other cars on the train and the president had it all to himself.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>After some time Dave emerged from the train car and his fellow workers rushed at him with questions, demanding to know how he, a mere worker, was on a first name basis with the president of the company. “Jim and I started working for this company on the same day,” Dave replied.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The two men had put in the same number of years with the company, yet one had risen to become president while the other retained pretty much the same position he had on his first day. The difference is that Dave went to work for $1.75, while Jim went to work for the railroad.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Like Jim, we have to take pride in whatever we do. If we try something half-heartedly or settle for good enough, we will never improve. No one can make you give your best effort; that is up to you. You may not like your job, but you’re never going to like it if you don’t do something to change, whether your goal is to move to a higher position or save enough money go after the job you really want.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Your child might not like math, but if he only puts in the bare minimum amount of time he should be studying or doing homework, he will never improve--and he will always hate math.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes it's hard even putting enough effort into the things we do want to do. If you are exercising to lose weight, build muscle, or just keep yourself healthy, you're never going to improve if you only do the a few reps. You've got to push yourself to your absolute limit.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If your child wants to start on the football team, but he skips practice once a week and barely pays attention when he is there, he's not going to reach that goal. He has to focus his energies in order to see results.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We all know that in life there are things we want to do, and then things we have to do. If you only focus on what has to get done without putting forth your best efforts in whatever you do, you are headed for a life of mediocrity. If you want a great life, you have to be great.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner Master Instructor Action Karate and author of Success Secrets of Black Belt Masters" For more info call 215.355.5003</i></span><br />
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-4634590015566006152013-01-10T16:34:00.001-08:002013-01-10T16:39:06.817-08:00EARN 10x MORE: FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s that time of year again, the time for New Year’s resolutions. Rather than make some unrealistic proclamation that you know you’re going to forget about by February, why not set a real and achievable goal for yourself, and plan out the steps you will take to reach it?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A great way to help you make and maintain your resolutions is to set SMART goals. <i>SMART</i> is an acronym for the criteria you need to follow when setting and following you goals. It stands for <u>Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Roadblocks, and Timetable.</u></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, <i>Specific</i>: you want to make your goals as specific as possible. The more detailed the better. Don’t just say you want to lose weight. Say how much weight you want to lose. Say how you’re going to lose it. How many times a week are you going to exercise? For how long? What diet changes are you doing to make? By being specific you not only give yourself a clear vision of you goal, you also lay out the steps you will take to achieve it.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You want to make sure your goal is <i>Measureable</i>. By this I mean you can look back and say definitively whether or not you achieved your goal. If your goal is to spend more time with family, it’s difficult to look back at the end of the year and say whether or not you achieved that. To make your goal more measureable, you might say, “I want to spend three extra hours with my family each week by having a family dinner every Sunday.” At the end of the month, it’s easy to say whether you did that or not. By making goals measureable you give yourself a tool to see if you are staying on track, and an opportunity to decide what to change if you are not.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the biggest mistakes people make when setting goals is being to general or by trying to achieve too large a goal all at once. This is how we become easily discouraged. You want to make sure your goals are <i>Attainable,</i> that they are really things you can achieve within the realm of possibility. That’s not to say you should limit yourself; quite the contrary. By setting attainable goals you are setting yourself up for success. For example, your goal for 2013 shouldn’t be getting your PHD if you never went to college. Getting your PHD could be a goal you eventually have, but there’s no way you’re going to achieve that right now. An attainable goal would be to get into a college degree program, or take the necessary exams to apply to a degree program. It’s easier to focus on smaller goals as a means to reaching an end goal than to try to achieve everything at once.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you’re thinking about ways to keep your resolutions, you also want to consider the <i>Roadblocks</i> that will stand in your way. Consider what will be difficult about the task you have set yourself, not to talk yourself out of it, but to come up with ways around these roadblocks before they actually occur. If your goal is to run a half marathon, but you know you have trouble getting out of bed to go running before work, figure out a way to deal with that roadblock before the alarm is buzzing at 5:30 am, whether that’s running later in the day or buying an incredibly loud alarm clock that you keep on the other end of the room so the snooze button is out of reach. By preparing ahead of time, you’ll be able to deal with obstacles easily and continue on your path to success.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lastly, you want to set a <i>Timetable</i> within which to complete your goal. This goes hand-in-hand with specificity. You have to put that pressure on yourself to act NOW, or nothing will ever get done. You want to take more vacations… when? In 10 years? When you’re retired? If you say instead I want to take another vacation by the end of the year, now you have a deadline for when to have your funds saved up and a reason to save those vacation days at work. Setting a timetable makes you accountable for taking action.</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when you’re watching the ball drop and thinking about what you want to be doing by the time 2014 rolls around, remember to make sure your resolutions are SMART.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner master instructor of Action Karate and author of Success Secrets of Black Belt Masters. For more info call 215.355.5003</i></span><br />
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-35635108825282267652013-01-02T16:30:00.003-08:002013-01-02T16:34:18.647-08:00SETTING SMART GOALS<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Howard Hill was the greatest archer of all time. He won all the contests he
entered. In fact he was so good at hitting the bulls eye with the first arrow,
on his second shot he split the first one. Now I think you can beat Howard
Hill. </b><br />
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I know what you are
thinking, "How is that possible? He is the best." Well there are a
few conditions. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1.) Have a good breakfast
so you'll have energy. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2.) A few archery lessons
so you know the general idea. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3.) Blindfold Howard Hill,
spin him in circles and make sure he's facing the wrong way. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I am confident you will
win! Why? Because if Howard is blindfolded, he can't see the target! </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><u>If you can't see the target
you can't hit it</u>.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><i><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">If you don't have a goal you can't achieve it</span></i><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">. In class this month we will be working on SMART
goals. Adults this is the month for you, goals can help you at home, work, and
karate class. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">All new adults are FREE in January at <a href="http://www.karatenewtown.com/">Action Karate Newtown</a>. Do something for yourself! </span></b></span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-20380368062501908152012-12-18T09:32:00.000-08:002012-12-18T09:36:52.032-08:00GET OUT OF YOUR WAY<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Zig Ziglar once said, “Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered
for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I was at a martial arts seminar one time when
the moderator asked, “What is your biggest frustration as a teacher?”</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I was fascinated by the various answers; some
I agreed with, others not. My answer was, “being able to see greatness in
people and not being able to help them see it.”</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As a teacher there is nothing more frustrating than seeing unrealized
potential and untapped greatness. Inevitably it is the student that quits on
themselves that makes me obsess for weeks. What did I say, what didn’t I say,
and what could I have said to better serve this person? My years of teaching
experience tell me it is always people getting in their own way. It is their
self doubt, fear of failure, or even fear of success.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That may sound like an odd thing to be afraid of: success. After all,
isn’t that what we are all after, no matter what our pursuits might be? We all
want success. Sometimes, however, the thought of actually achieving what you
want can be more daunting than the work it took to get there. Sometimes the
thought of what to do next after you have accomplished the thing you have
poured all your energies into for so long can be so intimidating that we
subconsciously self sabotage.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Recognizing our own potential is the first and most essential step
towards living it. If you set a goal for yourself but don’t actually believe
you can achieve it, you have already given up. Belief in yourself is the
foundation upon which you must build all of your endeavors. If you don’t
believe in yourself, no one else is going to believe in you. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Trees grow toward the sky because that is what trees are meant to do.
Storm clouds drop rain across the land because that is what clouds do. Ralph
Marston said it best about people: “In short, you are destined to achieve. Get
your excuses, fears and doubts out of the way and allow that destiny to fully
unfold. ” Think of your end goal as reality; it is what you are meant to do. It
is as natural as tress growing or rain falling. Don’t allow room for even the
slightest doubt.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How can you help your children to realize their full potential? The best
thing you can do for them is to be a source of encouragement and support.
Encourage them to try new things, especially if they are outside of their
comfort zone. When they fail (or at least perceive that they have failed) point
out all of the great elements of their attempt and help them improve in the areas
where they are weak. Most of all, help them to have a positive attitude and
believe that success is a part of their reality.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For example, say your child is doing poorly in math. For weeks he studies
hard, does all the homework, and pays attention in class. After the next test
his grades still haven’t improved. He thinks, “I’ll never be good at math.”
That attitude alone could be what is keeping him from achieving his full
potential. He must think “I am good at math,” before he has the slightest chance
of actually being so.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It can be hard at times, but we have to remember to stay out of our own
way. Believe that success is a part of your destiny and it will come to you.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Master Instructor of Action Karate and Author Solomon
Brenner- Black Belt Parenting. To set up speaking engagement please call
215.355.5003</i></span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-30595013436003521642012-12-13T10:08:00.000-08:002012-12-13T10:08:17.073-08:00WHO PACKS YOUR PARACHUTE?<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes
in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important.
We may fail to say hello, please, thank you, congratulate someone on something
wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something
nice for no reason.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charles
Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region>. After
75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb
ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a
communist prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned
from that experience. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One
day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another
table came up and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vietnam</st1:place></st1:country-region> from
the aircraft carrier <st1:place w:st="on">Kitty Hawk</st1:place>. You were shot
down!" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How
in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I
packed your parachute," the man replied. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plumb
gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man grabbed his hand and said, "I
guess it worked!" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plumb
assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here
today." <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plumb
couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb kept wondering what
the man might have looked like in a Navy uniform. He wondered how many times he
might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you or anything,
because you see, he was a fighter pilot and the man was just a sailor. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plumb
thought of the many hours that sailor had spent in the bowels of the ship,
carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in
his hands each time the fate of someone he did not know. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now
Plumb asks his audience, "Who is packing your parachute?" Everyone
has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plumb
also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot
down. As you go through your week, month, and year, recognize the people who
have packed your parachute and enabled you to get where you are today!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner Author of Black Belt Parenting - "The Art of Raising Your Child for Success"</i></span></div>
Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-79965982026555227452011-08-09T16:54:00.001-07:002012-12-13T10:10:51.681-08:00BACK TO SCHOOL TIME!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It’s that magical time of the year again—back to school—and you know what that means: back to bedtimes, homework, school supplies, and hectic schedules. But this time of the year doesn’t have to be scary for parents or kids. All it takes is a little summer preparation to ensure that the road back to school is smooth sailing.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First thing’s first: remember all those summer mailings you got from your children’s school about book lists, school supplies, activities fees, and health concerns? Pull them out of the drawer and get organized. Mark any important upcoming events, like parent-teacher nights, on the calendar now so you don’t forget about them as things get busier. Make sure school has the forms they need before your kids head back, that way you can concentrate on making sure they are adjusting rather than worry about all the red tape.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Schedules can get pretty hectic once school starts up again, so take advantage of the relaxed summer schedule while you still can to make any doctor or dentist appointments your child may need. You’ll want to make sure you find out any health issues sooner rather than later. Also, alert the school office as well as your child’s individual teachers about any health concerns, like asthma or food allergies, that could crop up while your child is in school.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start your school shopping early, that way if you aren’t able to conquer the entire school supply list at once—especially if you have multiple children—you give yourself enough time to get everything over a few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some teachers require specific supplies, so save your receipts in case you need to return anything.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Start getting your kids back into school habits about a week before school begins. This may mean going to bed and waking up earlier than they have been all summer. Get them in the habit of eating breakfast every morning if they don’t already; they will need that fuel to kick start their day once classes are back in session. Also consider limiting the amount of time they spend in front of the TV during certain hours in exchange for reading, puzzles, or games and activities that get their minds working, so that all those hours spent in class won’t be such a shock to the system.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If your child is starting at a new school this year, or maybe even just a new building, it is not a bad idea to let them know ahead of time of what they’ll be facing on the first day of school. Call the school and see if you are allowed to visit before term starts. You can help your child find his classroom, the lunchroom, his locker, the gym, the nurse’s office, and any other important landmarks he should know about.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If your child is really nervous about school it might even be a good idea to see if you can arrange a meeting with the teacher before classes begin, that way there will be at least one friendly face on the first day of school.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If your children, like most, aren’t too excited about the prospect of hitting the books again, there are a few small things you can do to motivate them. Avoid talking about homework or tests, and instead ask about the friends they’ll be seeing for the first time since June, or point out different things about them that their friends will notice, like a new haircut or how much they’ve grown. Even something as simple as a new backpack with their favorite cartoon character on it can make them excited to return to school.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Contributed by Solomon Brenner Author Black Belt Parenting "The Art of Raising Your Child for Success"</i></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--> Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-77457483052967307552011-05-11T12:03:00.000-07:002012-12-13T10:11:33.573-08:00SPRING!<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ok, so I am a little behind on blogging, I apologize. But with everything going on at the studio can you blame me? Black Belt Spectacular is just a few short Saturdays away, Promotion night is this week, and I am officially Mr. O for the week, along with my regular job. But I am not complaining! I love being busy, it keeps me focused, and I tend to stay more organized and on track when I barely have time to think. Sometimes when you are idle you tend to be lazy and un-motivated. It is hard to get up and start a project when you have been sitting on the couch for two hours. Keeping busy is a great way to push the "lazy" mindset out of the window. Then, when you do have down time, let's say on a Sunday afternoon, you enjoy it so much more because you have earned it!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The studio is hopping with moms taking class this month, and there is such a new level of energy in Adult class that it is contagious! (Mr. C is also loving all the attention). I am very proud of these women who decided to stop watching and start doing something. Being active is the key to not only a healthy body, but a healthy mind! Your kids will also thank you later, when you have the energy to help them with homework and chores! And when you put that bathing suit on this summer, you will appreciate the fact that you did get up off that chair and pushed yourself to do those Inside Crescent kicks.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>These is still time to try class moms - it's free for the month of May! Dads - you are next!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ASAH!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Miss Anne</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Action Karate Newtown</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>215-820-1082</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>www.actionnewtown.com</b></span>Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7729994496817871643.post-12647832069680139652011-03-30T18:15:00.000-07:002012-12-13T10:13:15.916-08:00PAY IT FORWARD<div style="font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 4px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Miss Anne's Blog for the April Shark Bites Newsletter at Action Karate Newtown 215-820-1082 www.actionnewtown.com</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>As part of our Black Belt test, each candidate is asked to do a Linked-In Project. The goal of this project is to have each candidate “Pay it Forward” by organizing a personal project to help promote the benefits of Martial Arts training to others. Martial Arts Black Belts have for centuries, passed down their knowledge to beginners as a way to extend the chain of Martial Artists.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Our Black Belt candidates are the FIRST ever from Action Karate Newtown. We are very excited and proud of all they have accomplished in the last three years. Our Junior candidates have learned nine self defense moves and seven katas. Our Adults have learned a whopping 81 moves, and 10 katas. Not to mention all the front kicks, spin kicks, side kicks, chicken kicks, tornado kicks, ax kicks, wheel kicks, roundhouse kicks, crescent kicks, rear kicks, and jump switch front kicks that they all have done. Oh, and the punches and blocks. Millions upon millions. And not only have they learned the art of Kenpo Karate, but they have also demonstrated Determination to make it this far. Focus to learn all the techniques and forms. Self-Discipline to put up with Mr. C’s tough workouts. And Respect for the martial arts and for others. That is a lot of information to “Pay it Forward”. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Miss Julia has so far raised over $600.00 to sponsor a special needs student to take class here at Action Karate. Miss Jenna has had her Girl Scout troop here for class, and they had a blast! I am writing articles and blogs about my journey to Black Belt. The Howie family is spreading the word about us by attending events around the area. Miss Hope had Mr. C. teach her gym class at her school, Our Lady of Grace. Mr. Brian is having Mr. C teach gym class at his school, Quarry Hill Elementary. Miss Emily is writing an article to the local Mom’s Club Newsletter. Mr. Daniel is having the Demo Team perform at his school’s Hoop-Dee-Do. Mr. Larry is filming a commercial for a local television station. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Now, I just need to say, that is totally <i>AWESOME</i>. I am so proud of the white belts that walked into our studio when we had blue carpet and gym equipment to move out of the way before class every night. The timid, shy and scared students who now perform in public, work hard and have an amazing amount of respect. Those same white belts work community events , visit nursing homes, help out in the younger classes as Leaders in Training or S.W.A.T. members, work birthday parties, sweep the floor, empty the trash cans, and make copies for us. Amazing families and even more amazing students. We would not be where we are today without hard work and dedication from these first Black Belt Candidates. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Good luck to all on April 9th.... persistence is key, keep up the <i>AWESOME</i> work both at Action and at home, school, and work.</b></span></div>
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Action Karate Newtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18380410782918328815noreply@blogger.com0