I have aquired a new personal student. This young gal is 11 years old, lives in a single disabled mother home, she is crying out for help. This last week she was arrested for shoplifting and was taken to juve. Family members have stepped in to help the single mother attend this young gal. They have turned to me to help her.
I am a person that sees these things as oppertunites to do some greater good, am eager to jump into the mix of things and shine the light of direction in her life. She also seems very eager to recieve it.
I have set some very strong guidlines out for this young gal to follow and have explained that if these things are not followed than I will not teach her anymore until she has righted the wrong that she has done. I also am requiring her to call me once a day to tell me how things are going. (trying to build a bond with her.) Again, she seems very eager to jump thru the hoops so she can learn. (seeing a light in the tunel of darkness?)
So with that said and that you will under stand this next part.
The school that I instruct at and participate in classes is NOT MY SHCOOL. The owner of the school allowed me to use the school to meet the girl, but was given the impression not allowed to do it again, with out charging a private lesson fee.
At the begining of this I mentiond that the child comes from a DISABLED Single Mother Home With no spar money. I my self am an ablebodied Single mother. I could not imagine being a disabled single mother.
So that is my delema. When did Martial Arts become about money????? Isn't it about .... Small acts of random kindness?... Caring about your fellow man regardless of where they come from?.... Reaching out to those that need help...I surely hope that if I was in the situation this child is in that some one would hold a hand out to me and say this way... I feel like I am up against the statement "it's not your problem, turn around and walk away".
I am a Martial Artist. I don't turn a way, I face it head on and learn from it. She is helping me just as much as I am helping her.
Than, I guess you could argue the point what is your definition of a Martial Artist. I love Tradition, The right and wrong way to do things every thing being spelled out for you. I live my life to a certing code you could say. I know that other people say they live a life a certain way, but really don't. Not me I have tried things my way and found my self in a certian hole that I had to fight to get out of.
Have you ever wondered why there are certian sayings that every one knows, like for example "The Golden Rule - Treat others the way you want to be treated" everyone has heard it. How many people do you know really that live there life by it? I am that person.
I also realized while typing this of another one "no good deed goes unpunished"
I am sure by now that you can now see why this blog is posted. I really feel like it is my job as a martial artist to step out of the crowd and say let me help you. Am I wrong?
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts any comments would be much appriciated,
Ms. Dunlap
