You have heard it before.  You’ve seen it in books.  Some guy on television announces it all the time.

You should make the most of today.

What exactly does that mean?  Does it mean fill every moment with something? Does it mean live each day like it’s your last?  Maybe it means you should continually learn and grow and explore.  Maybe it is all of that or none of that.  Friends, it is completely up to you.

You can consider this the “life teacher” in me, trying to remind you the importance of your choices.  At the same time I teach, I am also a student of this philosophy.  I still battle thoughts of negativity and must focus one how to be a better person.  Teacher and Student in one.

What you like to do and what I like to do are different.  I don’t want to judge the person who prefers relaxing and reading a book to the person who takes a karate class instead.  Heck, I wish I had time to read a book!  In the same way the martial arts is a personal journey, your daily life is the biggest personal journey of all.  You must fill it in your own way.  I do believe, however, there are certain things that don’t make the most of your day in any way, shape, or form and I would warn against any of these behaviors if you truly wish to make the most of today.  Here’s the first part of the lesson:

Lesson #1:  What not to do:

• Don’t be hateful
• Don’t abuse others or situations
• Don’t ignore those in need
• Don’t forget to thank others
• Don’t be judgmental
• Don’t be hurtful

The list goes on.  Simply be the opposite of each of these and you will be on the path to making the most of today. The first key to living a fulfilling life is to put others first. When you take the focus away from yourself and your problems, issues, or burdens, and think about others, you divert negativity in your life and find appreciation and comfort in thinking of others. This is a way you can actually make a difference in another’s life, by being a role model, example, and teacher.

Lesson #2 Learn and Teach Martial Arts

A martial art class is an excellent example of how being  “you” becomes secondary to the moment.  When you walk through the dojang door, there is no “you” anymore.  You become the “martial artist.” You become engrossed in class which eliminates your personal focus.  It is great way  to let go of yourself; to be submerged in a different space that has little to do with your worries or your faults or your apprehensions.  To forget all that, if just for an hour or so, is refreshing and purposeful.

At some point in your student life you will start teaching others.  In fact, it is a criteria for black belt candidates in our program.  Around green belt, students are given small tasks to teach others.  It changes the focus, approach and perspective of the martial art.

Teaching is also a form of learning.  For the instructor, you learn how to deal with others; how to help their personalities flourish; how to inspire and motivate; and how to willingly share.  For the student, you learn perspectives from different instructors; you appreciate variety in your learning; you find appropriate and positive approaches to life. It all works hand in hand.

Have you ever tried to slow a kata or pattern down piece by piece in order to teach it?  It suddenly looks and feels different.  You get lost if you slow down too much.  “Back to the beginning,” you bellow if you are the instructor, after teaching a few steps, partly because it’s difficult to remember one movement to the next when you work in slow-motion, and partly because the student needs time to grasp what you’ve shown.  The teaching and the learning work in unison.

Lesson #3 Application in Your Life

Be a learner and a teacher.

It is the combination of these two roles that helps you make the most of today.  To only learn means you shut out a part of you that should be shared.  The world would be a very boring, sterile place if we did not share our thoughts, talents, gifts, and passions with each other. The act of sharing part of you with the world is part of a life education.  As a volunteer, I see tremendous benefit in sharing parts of me with others to help them succeed or find happiness or tap into their talents.  It benefits me in a positive and enlightening way, as well as the recipient.

As a lifelong learner of martial arts, I approach each day with a martial art spectacle; a magnification of who I am because of martial arts.  I  know that there is always more to learn and I keep an open mind.  This makes me a better person, even a better teacher.

Learning and teaching create a circular path that continually connects the different parts of you together.

Lesson #4 A Whole New World

My sixteen year old son took a college art appreciation class.  Having been home schooled all his life, he started college and learned about topics that were brand new to him, and from teachers he’s never met before. This opened his eyes to a whole new world.  Martial arts are like a whole new world every day.  Whether you are learning something new, or practicing something for the one hundredth time, each moment is new and different.

What new world can you open your eyes to?  I am sure opportunity presents itself but you push it away because you are busy, tired, or have little motivation.  Have you ever noticed, though, when you push through to complete a task or learn a new skill,  how great it actually feels?  It’s easy to brush anything aside that requires extra work or effort, but that is the only way you ever get ahead.  While the rest of the world languishes in a dull place, you can move ahead, step out, and shine.  You can create a whole new world by being committed, dedicated and focused on your goals, your strengths, and your dreams.

Lesson #5 Closing the Loop

Our world relies on us to share both our tragedies and our triumphs with each other.  It’s really a responsibility, yet most of us assume it is voluntary.  The truth is we must teach and learn from each other continuously to not only better ourselves, but to better the world in which we live. Coordinating, sharing, encouraging, motivating and inspiring each other is the essence of the student/teacher dichotomy.

You and I are the teachers and the students of this world.  There are only slight differences between the two.  If we  start to overshadow problematic and discouraging trends with vibrant, energetic, positive threads, we can make positive changes in the world.

Let’s put each other first.  Lift each other up.  Share what we know.  Work together.  Learn and teach.

Andrea