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MVKS News, Views and Clues |
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Vol 7 Issue 5 |
May 2009 |
Last Month
Our Black Belt candidates have passed their first two of three exams and are preparing for their 3rd and final exam in May 9th. They have been working very hard in the back room and the results have been very good. I feel pretty good about their chances, and we’ll be having a special promotion for them and their families on Friday, May 22nd. As is tradition, I would like to invite all of the current MVKS Black Belts to join them in welcoming them in to the Black Belt class.
Kickphotos USA came to our Studio on the 15th and we should be getting our pictures in by the middle of the month.
The new T-shirts finally arrived and they look great! They are a nice alternative to a gi top in the warmer months, and I’d like to remind everyone that they should be the only alternative to wearing a gi, and that regular t-shirts should not be worn to class, and please, tuck them in. Missed your chance to get one? There is a last chance order on the bulletin board. Order deadline is May 15th.
This Month...
The New England PKS Kenpo Camp was held on May 1st and 2nd and was a big success! Over 80 people were in attendance from 10 different states and 3 different countries. 9 MVKS students made the trip to see Mr. Wedlake, a 9th degree Black Belt and his 3 highest ranking students, Graham Lelliot, Steve White, and Gary Ellis teach seminars all weekend. Also teaching on Friday night were Marc Sigle, a 3rd degree Black Belt from Germany and me, who also was honored to teach that night.
A little Kenpo history was made, as Mr Wedlake surprised everyone by promoting his 3 senior students to the rank of 8th degree Black Belt! Between them they have over 90 years experience in Kenpo, more if you count the years before they earned their Black Belts. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again, but nobody has had a bigger influence in my life than my instructor, Mr. Steve White, from Manchester, NH, and I am so very proud of him! I have never seen a person more dedicated to the art of Kenpo. Congratulations to all of them!!
Also present for the ceremony was Hanshi Richie Bernard, a 10th degree Black Belt in Goju-Ryu Karate. He was responsible for getting the custom made belts for Graham Lelliot and Gary Ellis. Mr. Wedlake gave Mr. White his 8th Degree Belt. Quite an honor!!
We’re all hoping we can have the same Camp next year. We’ll keep you posted.
To honor Mom and all she does, we will be having a womens self-defense course Wednesday, May 13th at 7:00. All MVKS moms and their friends are invited. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board.
We will be marching in the Spring Gala Parade on May 16th. All MVKS students who want to march should meet at Blood road before 11:00 am. Please wear a clean, fully patched uniform ( NO T-shirts! ), and bring candy if you’d like to toss some out. We are closed that day.
Welcome New Students!
Beginner Kids:
Henry Foster, Olivia, Tony, and Annmarie Edvalson, Brian Rose, Tyler Ducharme, Julia Brogioli, and Joshua Torrey
Beginner Adults:
Fred Hayes
Tiny Tigers:
Billy Davidson
Kenpo
Clues: - Kenpo Questions to Help You Along Your Journey
In the technique Spiraling Twig:
For Beginners: What does the code name “twig” refer to?
For Advanced: Why would you choose this technique instead of Crashing Wings?
Happy
Birthday!!!
- Another year older and wiser…..
Happy Birthday!!! - Another year older and wiser…..
5/01.….Olivia Edvalson
5/ 03.….Connor Lindsey
5/ 12.….Teagan Birt
5/ 13.….Dominic Manha
5/ 14.….Megan Manha
5/ 17.….Kyle Hooker
5/ 20.….Kyle Gibson
5/ 22.….Alora Pickering
5/ 28.….Justin Clarke
Other News and Notes:
The bi- annual Black Belt Step exam is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th. All Black Belts who have the required points are expected to attend. Material covered will be the most recently completed set on the technique lists and misc. forms techniques picked by me. Of course, you can always expect the unexpected as well. Check your cards to make sure you will qualify and schedule a private if you need to brush up on any material. BE PREPARED! These steps only occur twice a year, and they are required for your consideration for advancement.
-It should be noted that my most senior student, Mr. John Coughlin sr., just celebrated his 16th training anniversary at MVKS last month. Mr. Coughlin is a great Black Belt and a good friend.
- MVKS is soon to be a charter member of the Derry Judo Club, one of the top 25 clubs in the USA. This means that we can award rank through the United States Judo Association! Classes will continue to be held 2x a month, under the direction of my Instructor, Mr. Chris Veziris, a 6th degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo. Check the calendar for this months’ class dates.
-MVKS will be celebrating its 18th year of teaching martial arts in Mont Vernon on June 3rd. Time flies when you’re having fun!
-Summer Camps start up next month! Look for your registration packs in the mail soon.
Kenpo Views
The Bookends of Success by Dr. John C. Maxwell
NASCAR drivers know the importance of starting in the right place. Before a race even begins, they compete with one another in the hopes of earning the best starting position.
At qualifying runs, held the week prior to the official race, each driver speeds around the racetrack in a timed performance. The driver with the fastest time earns pole position - or the right to begin the race in front of the other cars. A driver in pole position doesn't have to be concerned about passing anyone in order to win the race.
All he or she must do is hold their position in order to win.
Conversely, a driver who does poorly in the trial run must begin the race in the worst possible position - at the very back of the pack. Stuck behind the other racecars, the disadvantaged driver has virtually no chance of winning. To finish first, he or she would have to pass every other car on the track during the course of the race.
In addition to starting strong, a NASCAR driver understands that his or her performance depends on finishing well. In a 500-mile race, leading for 499 miles is meaningless if a driver isn't in front at the checkered flag.
Regardless of a driver's skill maneuvering the car early in the race, if he or she crashes or loses focus toward the end, the driver will forfeit the lead and lose the race. Nobody wins points for their position in the middle of the race; rather, each driver is assigned a place based on how he or she finishes.
THE BOOKENDS OF SUCCESS
Great leaders understand the two bookends of success:
starting and finishing.
We generally think about them in terms of doing a task or project. However, what's true in our approach to projects is also true in our approach to each day. How we spend our mornings and evenings has a tremendous bearing on the course of our leadership.
I use my morning to set up a game plan for the day. During this time, I allow no interruptions. I never schedule breakfast meetings, and I isolate myself from distractions. I do not permit myself to strategize years down the road or to project my thoughts months into the future.
Rather, I narrow my focus to the upcoming 24 hours. I ask myself: "Just for today, how can I be a success?" Viewing life in 24-hour increments, I place a premium on each day. I try to make each one a masterpiece.
During the evening, I reflect on my day. By reflecting, I translate my day's experiences into learning opportunities. This process solidifies in my mind the lessons I've discovered or bits of knowledge I've uncovered. Reflecting also gives me the space to assess my progress on the goals I made during the morning.
Relaxation is another important part of my evening routine. I make a point to put my leisure time into activities that replenish me by refueling my energy. For me, such activities include spending quality time with my wife, or reading a book.
Relaxation puts me in a great emotional state, lifts my spirits, and reminds me of the joys of life. When I neglect to carve out time in the morning to plan my day, I notice adverse effects.
First, I don't live my day on purpose. Instead of choosing where to invest my time, I cede control of my schedule to whatever circumstances happen to arise. Second, I squander my energy. Since I don't outline clear goals for my day, I float from one activity to another without getting anything done. Finally, when I skip my morning planning time, I feel overwhelmed.
Since I'm ambitious, I have a propensity to bite off more than I can chew. If I don't focus my attention, the weight of my numerous involvements begins to drag me down.
When I am not intentional about setting aside evening time for relaxation, I encounter negative symptoms, too. First, I get uptight. My times of reflection and relaxation act like valves that release stress from my life. If I don't guard those times, I get tense, my thoughts are more negative, and my health suffers. Second, I lose passion.
My leisure times fuel me. If I am not intentional about putting time into my favorite activities, then life loses its luster. Third, I miss chances to grow. When I don't reflect on the meaningful moments from each day, I rob myself of the benefits of experience.
SUMMARY
Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is out of reach. That’s why today matters.
