| Weekly
Inspirations
This
Month's Theme... Action!
Week
1
“A
life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but
more useful than a life spent in doing nothing.”
George
Bernard Shaw,
19th/20th
Century Irish
dramatist,
essayist and critic
Adult
Application:
Anyone
who is truly successful has made countless mistakes. The reason
why successful people are always making mistakes is because
they are always trying. Before Thomas Edison finally invented
the light bulb, he failed thousands of times, but he
never stopped trying, which is why he finally succeeded. Not
only was Thomas Edison unafraid to make mistakes, but also
he realized that making mistakes is often the best way to
learn. Don't let the fear of failure deter you from trying
and acting. When your efforts produce an undesirable result,
learn from it and then try again.
Application
for Kids:
Michael
Jordan is probably the best basketball player of all time.
He made thousands of baskets, but he also missed thousands
of baskets. In fact, he actually missed more baskets than
most other players. One of the reasons why Michael Jordan
is so great is that he always tried. Just like Michael Jordan,
you too have to take action and be willing to make mistakes
and even fail. What matters is that you continue to try. If
you always take action, then one day you will be a great Black
Belt.
Discussion
for Children:
•
What action did you take to reach a goal even though you thought
you might
make a mistake or fail?
•
What happened when you tried?
Week
2
“When
it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects
and more bricklayers.”
Colleen
C. Barrett,
president
and member of
the
board of directors,
Southwest Airlines
Adult
Application:
Most
people are quick to volunteer solutions to a problem or wrong
situation. They offer suggestions or ask why someone isn't
solving the problem. They have the plan, which is what architects
do. Those who act on the plan are like bricklayers. Without
the action of bricklayers, the architect's plans are just
paper on a desk; but when you act, those plans produce positive
results. Now is the time to achieve your goals and stop thinking
about them.
Application
for Kids:
Most
people have ideas about how to help someone being bullied,
but they sometimes expect others to act. This is like the
difference between an architect and a bricklayer. The architect
has the ideas or plans, but the bricklayer does the work or
act. You may need to think like the architect to create a
plan to help someone, but you always want to put your plans
into action like the bricklayer. You must take the action
necessary to help someone being bullied or in a bad situation,
or to reach your goal.
Discussion
for Children:
•
When did you think like an architect to make a plan to reach
your goals
?
•
What steps or actions will you take like a bricklayer to reach
your goal or act on your plan?
Week
3
“Nobody
made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he
could do only a little.”
Edmund
Burke,
18th
Century Irish
statesman
and philosopher
Adult
Application:
You
must always be willing to take action, even when they're minor
actions. Remember, all those small, yet positive, actions
accumulate, motivating and inspiring others to act. In the
movie, Pay It Forward , a boy challenged himself
and others to perform three good deeds. Whenever someone thanked
him for a deed, the boy asked that person to “pay it forward”
or contribute three good deeds. Imagine the impact if a large
number of people “pay it forward.” The boy in the movie understands
the bigger picture;
and you must emulate his behavior throughout your life.
Application
for Kids:
You
have to take a test in a week, but you know you will be very
busy one of the evenings before the test. It's easy to think
that it's better not to study for that short time because
it won't make a difference. Sometimes that's how you may think
about taking action to help others. In the movie, Pay
It Forward , a boy challenged himself and others to do
three good deeds. Whenever someone thanked him for doing a
good deed, the boy asked that person to “pay it forward.”
It would make a big difference if a large number of people
each did three good deeds. The boy in the movie understands
the bigger picture. You must learn to act just like him.
Discussion
for Children:
•
When did you fail to do a good deed because you thought your
good deed
was too small?
•
How would that small deed have helped you?
Week
4
“The
world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil,
but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
Albert
Einstein
World-Renown
physicist and
inventor
of the Theory of Relativity
Adult
Application:
One
of your most important choices is whether to take action when
others need your help. When you observe someone in trouble,
don't hesitate—act. You should never think you don't have
the time to act. Remember, failing to take action is just
as wrong as the troubling situation you observe. It's your
job not only as a future Black Belt, but also as a human being
to help people in need. You must be the one to step forward
and take action.
Application
for Kids:
Raise
your hand if you have ever seen someone being bullied or bothered
in a bad way by others. Always take action right away, even
if you're afraid of being bullied too. You should always take
the time to help no matter where you are supposed to be. Taking
action to help others shows that you care. Whatever the reason,
failing to act is just as wrong as bullying someone. As future
Black Belts and responsible adults, all of you must take action
to help other people.
Discussion
for Children:
•
How did you feel when you saw a wrong action, like someone
being bullied—
and you did not take action to help?
•
If you see someone be bullied, then what should you do to
take action?
Jay
Larkin, Director of WhirlWin Martial Arts, can be reached
by
phone at 708-409-0800 or by e-mail at the 'contact us' link
above.
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