Mind Your Language
I know that subject line invokes memories of what happened when you were a kid and said something you shouldn’t say.
They didn’t tolerate profanity, course or disrespectful speech from the young back then.
We still shouldn’t, but do witness far too much of it from far too many folk, of all ages, and all walks, today.
But today’s message is actually about saying something you should say– whatever age you may be.
On my way home I stopped at Publix to pick up some things Barb needed to prep our dish for the potluck at the dojo…
as I was leaving, I was walking my cart to the cart return area when a gentleman stopped me.
He was about my age and said, “I could return that cart for you.”
He was on his way in.
“Why, thank you sir”, I said.
“You’re welcome”, he said.
And you could feel that both of us found the exchange oddly invigorating.
That’s strange, I know…
it was nothing particularly spectacular; just a polite exchange between two fifty something gentlemen.
But what makes such exchanges special, I think, is the memory of a time past, when most people spoke to each other with courtesy and respect.
To be clear, I always do so but, though this story isn’t remarkable, it isn’t usual either.
Unfortunately, what I call the magical language of Respect in my academy isn’t all that common at all- and especially amongst the young folk.
But this is why children, teens and young adults who do learn, and use, the language are special.
When a young person is habitually respectful, it goes a long way in creating favorable treatment for them.
When anyone gives Respect, they most often get it in return; that’s why I call it magical. One may produce Respect out of thin air, by simply showing it first.
So teaching our youth the magical language of Respect equips them, makes them better, more powerful and more successful in all they do.
We teach our students Respect in many ways, through our Blackbelt Leadership Program at Krav Maga Martial Arts.
One way is through the 7 Words of Respect. Active listening, eye contact and other communication skills are a part of it too.
For more information, or to start your child in this life changing program, visit TampaKravMaga.com or call us at 813-948-4844.
Thank you.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commissioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com