July 2016

The (Not So) Smart Aleck

We all know someone who’s a smart aleck. A know-it-all.

A smarty pants. A wisenheimer. A general pain to be

around.

The classic smart aleck stands around the karate school go-

ing “Dun Gun? Oh I learned that ages ago. Yeah. No. It’s

really easy. You thought it was hard? No, you’re doing it

wrong, though. It’s actually supposed to be a back stance, buddy. Didn’t you know

that? Don’t worry, though, you’re getting there. Sorta.”

Bragging, being mean, showing off...it’s a downer. It’s a fact that you’re actually

much more likeable when you’re modest. It might not seem that way when you walk

into a party that’s going full-blast. (Nobody ever stops the music and goes “Hey, wow,

check out how modest that guy is!!!”). But in the long haul, people appreciate modesty

more than someone who’s always flaunting his smarts.

Have you ever been a smart aleck to your parents or a teacher? What do you remember about

that? Did it work like you thought it would? Did people think you

were smart or just a smarty pants?

Top Five Modest Moments in Star Wars 1. When Luke Skywalker looks out at the twin suns of Tatooine.

Luke Skywalker knows he won’t be dumpster diving at Tosche Station forever. He wants to sail past the stars and and trade blows with Stormtroopers. But he’s also humbled by the grandness of the galaxy, its scope and power and beauty. You may be a small cog in the scheme of the universe. But the smallest cogs keep everything turning. 2. When Yoda Trains Luke.

Throughout Episodes I, II and III we really see what kind of a crazy Jedi-ninja Master Yoda was in his prime. I mean, the little guy is shorter than his own lightsaber (and a muddier shade of green) and he’s bouncing off walls fighting off clone hordes and Sith lords left and right. He’s much more docile in retirement. So much so, in fact, that when Luke lands on Dagobah he can’t believe that this hunched, frail creature could be the legendary Jedi warrior.

Master Yoda undertakes Luke’s training with a lot of reservation. “Not ready is he,” he says to Obi Wan Kenobi. But Yoda trains Luke anyway. He humbles himself. He lifts the X-Wing from the swamp without a word of congratulations. He shows Luke what modesty really means. 3. When Han Solo saves Luke on Hoth.

“Solo” means “alone.” And in a lot of ways Han joins up with the Rebel Alliance not because he wants to be part of the team, but because it suits his own interests (it keeps him relatively safe from Jabba the Hutt’s bounty hunters, for one).

Han and Chewie are all packed up and ready to jet on the Rebel’s Hoth base when a giant storm rolls in. Turns out Luke’s still out in the blizzard, and Han’s just man enough to put his pride and safety aside for his friend. When he stuffs Luke’s unconscious body into the Tauntaun belly for warmth, it was a humble act. A smelly act, I’m sure, but still a humble one. 4. Luke’s confrontation in the Dagobah cave.

When Luke heads into the cave in the Dagobah swamp, it’s without a trace of humility. “Your weapons,” Yoda says, “You will not need them.” Luke just snorts and straps on his gun belt. And how does that work out for him?

The cave--or the hidden fears Luke brings into it--has the last laugh. When Luke con-fronts an apparent Darth Vader, he swings his lightsaber and strikes the dark fiend down. Except it isn’t Vader after all. It’s Luke’s own face beneath the mask. His arrogance has tricked him. You can bet Luke was feeling pretty humble when he went back to Yoda’s house for supper that night. You’re not such a big talker after you learn you don’t know it all. 5. Leia’s “I Love You”.

Princess Leia’s pretty tough. She’s all about the Rebel cause and up for a fight with the Empire’s forces all across the galaxy. She and Han have argued back and forth in all kinds of ways, and she hates the way he always has to be the one who’s right.

So it must’ve taken a lot for her, when Han was being lowered into the carbon-

freezing unit on Bespin, to say the words “I” and “love” and “you.” But she didn’t

know if Han Solo would ever be back. She chose to humble herself, put away her own

pride, and find the simple words to express her deep respect and appreciation for Han.

(His epic reply--”I know”--conveys similar sentiments. Just with the classically im-

modest Han Solo touch :)

Show, Don’t Tell

Fiction writers have a mantra: “Show, don’t tell.” The most exciting, interesting, engaging stories give us a visceral sense of what’s going on. We see the characters. We hear their voices, their laughter, their wails. And we get scared, we wince, we react to the writing. When we don’t, the story gets dull, flat,flabby.

Like a sparring match where nobody throws a kick or a punch. Borrrriing.

Take this passage:

“Better watch out, sailor,” said the really scary pirate. “I’m a mighty good robber. Aye, I’ll rob ya good. And you’ll be so frightened ‘cause that’s how folks get when I go to rob ‘em.”

“Oh my,” exclaimed the sailor, scared out of his wits.

Versus this one:

Pirate Max stepped aboard the sailor’s boat, his sword drawn, his lips curled in snarl that showed jagged, broken teeth as black as tar. “Ahoy!” he growled, pressing his griz-zled face up into the shivering sailor’s and rattling his sword at the clouds. “Gimme all your loot before I gut ya like a mackerel!”

The sailor buckled at the knees. He whimpered, with his face in his palms, still seeing the red fire of the pirate’s eyes.

The first passage tells us about a scary pirate. The second shows us one.

It’s called “walking the walk” (versus “talking the talk”). It’s no use talking about how crazy good at karate you are, how much you’ve practiced, how perfect you’ve gotten your form. You’ve gotta show it. When people see you pull off your combos with a whip slash boom kinda speed and power, they stand back and marvel. And you don’t have to say a word.

Coaches, give your kids some high-fives for acts of modesty--for cleaning the litter box,

for mowing the lawn, for letting their little sister or brother go first. Saying “great job!”

and “I’m proud of you!” will help reinforce their actions and let them know you appreci-

ate all they do. Give it a shot!

Being Better (without Bragging)

You’ve been working hard. Coming to class. Slow kicking, shadow boxing into the wee hours. You’re getting

better, faster, stronger. You feel like a shadow-stealth-white-hot ball of ninja fire.

Then you see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kXLX7o9qx4

or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65QCHZDXKmA

or this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR-rmEneOG4

Wow. Guess there’s someone a little better. But there’s always someone better, isn’t there?

Don’t let it get you down. Watch that little champ matching Bruce Lee move for move (he knows the routines,

the timing so well he doesn’t even have to glance at the TV). Then take a closer look at his floor: all those taped

marks showing exactly where to stand, marking out a training routine that you

can bet he’s practiced about a million times.

Making yourself better requires discipline. No matter where you start out--

super good or not so great--discipline takes you to the next level. It’s good to

get humbled now and then by someone who’s amazing. Just remember: you

don’t have to be the best, just your best. Go for it ninja.

Who have you seen, read or heard about that makes you feel humble? How

does that person inspire you?

Ripple Effect SCHOOL UPDATE

Important Dates to Remember

Way to Go Black Belt

Congratulations to the following new Black Belt

Club and Leadership Members:

Christopher Blea

Daniel Blea Bob Blea

Crystal Blea Briery McCoy Zachary Stetz Shyla Strong Zeke Espedal

We value your ongoing commitment to training

and Black Belt Excellence.

Welcome New Students!

Shyla Strong Ethan Brattian

Jacob Clark Iyla Havekost Noah Herndon

Brooke Swenson Elisa Williams Audra Coppa Isaiah Avitia Vibha Kosuri Dillon Green

Karson Karhoff Owen Hogan

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June 26th Picnic at Fossil Creek

Pavilion

July 2nd-July 8th CLOSED:

Independence Day

July 18th-July 22nd

Stripe Week

July 25th-July 29th

Summer Intensive

June 27th-July 1st Stripe Week

July 30th

Belt Promotion!!