Friday, September 28, 2012

Things You Need for Class

By Littleton Campus Instructors

The instructors at the Littleton Campus of the CTI were discussing some basic things that each student and instructor need to bring to class.   Here is a list.  Can you add more?  (Send in your ideas to info@startmartialarts.com)

* Dynamic Attitude

* Uniform
   -Top and bottom
   -Clean and in good repair
   -Patches on and in the correct places

* Belt

* Sparring pads
   -CTI approved, clean and marked with your initials
   -Mouthpiece formed to fit and clean

* Glasses strap if glasses are worn in class

* Journal and Pen for notes, ideas and questions

* Boards.  Always have a board or two in your bag

* Staff (black belts)

* CTI Student Manual to reference when needed

* Ponytail and Clips for long hair

* Small towel

* Water for hydration!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Honesty

By Cris Krause, white belt

To me honesty is the most important aspect of the foundation that makes up one’s personality.  It means always interacting with others from a position of integrity which supports trust and openness.  True leaders exemplify this quality when being truthful even when the truth might be uncomfortable or unpopular.

Being honest with one self can often be harder than being honest with others.  This is a significant focus in my daily life and I work hard to keep my focus in this regard.  I maintain this focus by asking myself the following questions:
a.    Have I been the kind of parent that I should be?
** This is the most important focus in my daily life.  I feel a tremendous responsibility to provide my children with consistency, fairness, love, respect, safety, challenges and leadership. **
b.    Did I do my best and work my hardest at my job?
c.    Am I being the most supportive and loving husband that I can be?
d.    Have I led by example when working with others throughout the day?
e.    Did my behavior and interactions with others leave them feeling better about themselves?
5 examples of how I am honest with my family:
a.    There may be no more important place to be 100% honest, 100% of the time than with your immediate family.  (although it’s deceptively easy to be 100% honest in all other interactions) As such I’m honest with my family with each and every conversation.
** Being honest 100% of the time in ALL my interactions has been a significant focus for me over the past few years and is one of the most important aspects of how I now define my sense of self-worth.  This is incredibly important to me!  It wasn’t easy at first.  Human nature lends itself to taking what I consider “integrity shortcuts.”  Even people who consider themselves very honest will tell the proverbial white lie about minor things. (Like why they were late, why they forgot something simple etc.)  In my opinion this is because hearing one’s self admit a flaw or a mistake is uncomfortable.  Thus, a little white lie glazes over the flaw.  It is much the same reason why people don’t like to look in the mirror.  When we do, we have to look at things we don’t like about ourselves.  However, with practice, we can learn to be honest in ALL interactions.  We can’t always change the things we don’t like to see but we can accept what we see.  This makes us humble and we learn to act with greater humility.  If we then focus on changing what we can control, like being honest or losing weight, we will then become more confident and this makes us stronger and more powerful.  We may then work to change the world around us for the better. **
b.    When teaching the boys about the more negative sides to humanity.
c.    When sharing bad news, even when it’s uncomfortable.
d.    When owning up to mistakes that I’ve made!
e.    When discussing the differences between what we want, what we want to do and what we have the time and resources to afford.
Being honest with coworkers and friends is also important.  It affords us respect in the workplace and trust among those with whom we choose to spend our time.
a.    When admitting to missing a deadline.
b.    When having to admit you made a mistake or caused an error.
** This is a big one for me!  It’s not easy or comfortable but I give great respect and have more trust in anyone who doesn't dodge their errors and admits when they were wrong.  It is a fantastic way to lead by example and a surprisingly easy skill to embrace. **
c.    When having to tell someone their performance or behavior is not what it should be.
d.    When observing actions or behaviors that are contrary to a friendship or a business endeavor its critical to address such in a direct and honest fashion.
e.    Admitting that being late was one’s own fault, not blaming traffic, the kids, the weather etc.  
Much of what I’ve said above applies here.  Being honest in everyday life is surprisingly simple in most cases.  I believe it does take practice for most people and the best place to start is to stop lying about the little things. (Being late, missing deadlines etc.)  However, as one focuses on being honest about day to day things that one could easily brush aside with a benign lie, they will find that being honest about more important things is easier too.  The person who has the ability to be honest when it’s uncomfortable or difficult will also have the trust and respect of those around them!

Being honest isn’t always easy.  This is especially true when you know someone is counting on you and for whatever reason you didn’t or couldn’t come through.  In this case it is human nature to avoid disappointing the person to whom you made the commitment by telling a lie.  However, one might find that telling the truth helps to avoid littering their conscience with deceptive details.  Telling the truth liberates a person from having to carry that dishonest baggage around in their head and their heart.  

I have always put some degree of my personal development focus on being honest.  However, in the past 5 years I have made being 100% honest a concerted daily focus.  With that said, I admit that it is only in the past 1-2 years where I feel that I have been truly successful in being completely and transparently honest 100% of the time.  There are still times when I know I can do better but I can comfortably report that I do not recall the last time I was dishonest about something.  To be completely honest about it….it just plain feels good!

Friday, September 14, 2012

5th Annual CTI Picnic

By Eric Evans, 1st dan

CTI students and families converged on Tanglewood Park in Golden Colorado for the 5th annual CTI Summer Picnic on August 19, 2012.  Attendance records were broken with over 200 people in attendance enjoying the fun in the sun. The picnic kicked off early with CTI LeAD Team members and parents working together to prepare for the festivities.  A buffet of assorted foods and desserts accompanied the hamburgers and hotdogs from the grill.

Prior to the festivities, students filled the field playing frisbee and throwing the football.  After everyone was full from lunch students began to warm-up for the first ever CTI Picnic Olympics.  The practice and dedication to excellence was evident in the first event as students tied themselves together for the three legged Poomse competition.  All ages participated and some of the students were even adventurous enough to  attempt Chung-Mu!

The egg walking drill relays followed as teams of four were formed. Cheers from the crowd encouraged the teams to persevere as they attempted to not drop or break their eggs while running and performing various basic kicks such as the step behind side kick. Enough eggs were spared to team up with a partner for the egg toss.  Master Albrechtson and Mr. Sandusky demonstrated their ability to toss an egg to each other from an impressive distance.

The groups were then split up. The teens and adults enjoyed fun with water balloons while the younger students were challenged by an obstacle course created by Mr. Freddy Sautel.

Finally, the younger students joined in the water balloon fun with a partner toss, target practice on Mr. Vargo.  The grand finale was spectacular when two huge groups faced off in a large water balloon fight.

Thank you for all those who attended. Special thanks to Golden parents; Mrs. Wong, Mrs. Spery and Mr. Lautrup for their help setting up.

Make sure to check out the pictures and video on www.coloradotaekwondo.com.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Courageous Courage

By Kyle Feagans, brown belt



“YOU WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD WITHOUT COURAGE.  IT IS THE GREATEST QUALITY OF THE MIND, NEXT TO HONOR.” - ARISTOTLE

Definition of Courage: The ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action.

When I think of or hear the word COURAGE I think of those that have served our country with honor and integrity.  I think of “The Greatest Generation” those who served in World War II or those who served in Vietnam and the Korean War.  I think of the men and women who have served and those who are now serving our country.  These are men and women that knowingly signed up for a job that can put them in harm’s way.  Their desire and commitment serve and protect their family, friends and freedoms is more important than their own needs.



“LIFE IS MOSTLY FROTH AND BUBBLE.  TWO THINGS STAND LIKE STONE, KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE, COURAGE IN YOUR OWN.”ADAM LINDSAY GORDON

Exercising courage in not “following the crowd” does not come without challenges.  Not falling into the peer pressure trap can be especially challenging for children and young adults.  Knowing how to handle situations of seeing someone or they themselves being teased or bullied at school, on the school bus and on the playground present many challenges.  Encouraging them to solve and or bring these issues to those in charge can be difficult.  Many times they may be concerned that they will be called or thought as a “Tattle Tale” by their other classmates.  It takes courage to know right from wrong and then to act upon it.  It takes a lot of courage to be you, not who others want you to be.

“IT IS CURIOUS – CURIOUS THAT PHYSICAL COURAGE SHOULD BE SO COMMON IN THE WORLD AND MORAL COURAGE SO RARE.”MARK TWAIN

Being courageous in the work place has it challenges.  It can take a lot of courage to stand up and say “That is not ethical” even when nobody would ever be the wiser.  When does the gray area cross the line?  It takes courage to step outside our comfort zones.  Being involved with CTI has helped me to step out of my shell.  It has given me the courage to be involved in food drives, to get to know people and be involved with the campus skits at the Summer Expos.  This type of courage has given me more confidence at home and work.

“COURAGE DOESN’T ALWAYS ROAR.  SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT SAYS I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW.”MARY ANNE RADMACHER

We use some form of courage in our everyday lives.  Courage does not always require the “WOW” factor.  Courage can be seen every day in the simplest of forms.  Courage can be as simple as saying “I am going to vacuum the house before watching television or playing video games today.  Or I am going to do twenty five pushups and fifty sit ups before I get into bed each night this week.  Courage may be in saying, “I need to eat lunch at my desk today; I need to finish this task and need the extra few minutes to finish." Opportunities to exercise courage are all around us…sometimes we do not even realize that we have already been doing it!