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AWMAI E-News | Volume I | Winter 2021 |
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true: / That even as we grieved, we grew. / That even as we hurt, we hoped. / That even as we tired, we tried. / That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious. —Amanda Gorman, "The Hill We Climb" |
In This Issue:
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Shifu/Sensei Koré Grate May We Go to the Places That Scare Us —Pema Chödrön
Yet, they believed in me. They were patient and supportive, and gave references, so I decided to go for it.
I felt that a lot of the participants at the camps and conferences were tentative when going to the mat (taking falls), so I designed a special class just for that. Sixty participants attended my debut class, “Learn to Love the Mat.” It was amazing and
But I’m not telling this story just to reminisce. I want you to see yourself in my place! Being intimidated, thinking you are not good enough or high-ranked enough, holds you back in your process of growth and potential. I needed to be gently pushed, urged into my light, supported and believed in. Prof. Col and Sensei Annie did that for me. Prof. Col shared this quote with us, from Pema Chödrön:
May we go to the places that scare us.
May we lead the life of a warrior.
Allow me to gently urge each and every one of you in our AWMAI organization - and especially those who think you are not high enough ranked, experienced, etc. - to take the chance. Reach out, trust the process of learning and experience, and get involved. Step Up! AWMAI offers so much support and information for newer instructors! We’re looking forward to welcoming you. Sensei Katie Murphy Stevens Why are you surprised? Think about things that have sur
There are big surprises, like when your cat pounces on you in the middle of the night (you moved!). Or when a giant tree limb falls to the ground for no apparent reason – this literally happened one time at a summer outdoor martial arts event. (I saw it happen. Thankfully, no one was injured; but the limb came very close to a grandma in a walker-seat.)
We can react to surprise in different ways. Shock (crazy cat!); disbelief (did that branch really just crash to the ground?!); reassessment (google search: sudden branch drop syndrome); action (move your family away from the tree that just dropped a giant branch).
Other surprises are more subtle. Sometimes we are surprised when a person acts in an unexpected way or has an unexpected idea. We’re expecting one outcome, then all of a sudden there they are, doing something we never thought they would; or, there they are coming up with a great idea. We react with surprise, and they see it.
When I was young, it was kind of neat to surprise others by surpassing their expectations. I still remember when, in kindergarten class, we were supposed to memorize our home address. When it was my turn, I recited my address, and the teacher said it was correct! I thought to myself, “Wow! I got it right!” This may seem like a small thing, but I think the memory has stuck with me because it was a profound experience. I surprised myself – in a good way! It was one of the first steps on my path to self-confidence.
But in the course of a lifetime and a career, I’ve come to have a more jaded view of surprise. Let me explain.
Very early in my day-job career, my boss asked my opinion about two different options for wiring a new network cabinet. With the confidence of an inexperienced worker, I made a quick decision, identified one of the options, and said it was the best. A few days later, my boss came back to me and said, "I've spent several hours doing analysis on the two options. I liked the other option better and kept trying to make the numbers say so. But I give up; your recommendation is the best way to go." My boss was surprised I had envisioned the best solution.
As my career progressed, I can't tell you how many times that scenario played out. Even though I gained experience, developed a measured approach, used careful analysis in my decision-making, there continued to be surprise at my good outcomes. While I had confidence in my abilities, it took a long time for others to share that confidence.
Over time, my track record became well known and my ideas were more easily accepted. But I had to ask myself, why should it be surprising that I – the individual I am, the person I see in the mirror, someone who is smart and creative, who has a lifetime of experience, who has proven herself time and time again – why should it be surprising that I can do what others cannot?
Then I turn that around and ask myself, am I surprised at the abilities of others? How does my own point of view limit my expectations of others? And, does that narrow their avenues of success? It is easy to look for commonality and norms. It is natural to accept a person who quickly fits in with the existing group. It is common to expect success from a person who matches the mold of already-established successful persons. But for the person who surprises – the person who falls outside whatever “norms” I’ve accepted (consciously or not) – the “easy, natural, common” expectations can be harmful.
Think about it in the dojo setting. Perhaps the bravest action new students can take is merely to walk through the door. Once inside, they will ask themselves if this is a place where they can see themselves learning, working and enjoying being part of the group. If they cannot see themselves in the group, they will not stay.
As a school head, it is my role to welcome newcomers and to encourage them in martial arts training. If I am insincere in my welcome, it will show. If I am surprised by their abilities, it will show.
Imagine if my kindergarten teacher had expressed surprise every time I succeeded at something – not just that first time, but over and over; and not just the one teacher, but other people, too. My path to self-confidence wouldn’t have been so smooth.
As an instructor, I need to be open to the abilities of everyone who walks through the door. In my own heart, I need to do my best to be immune to influences that will tend to make me prefer – or shy away from – old, young, rich, poor, same race, other race, mixed race, big, small, introverted, extroverted, thin, stocky, muscular, domestic, foreign, flamboyant, plain, long hair, short hair, bald, tall, short, bearded, clean shaven, hairless, him, her, they.
Whatever preconceptions I may have, I need to see to the heart of the person. The study of martial arts is not for everybody; but I believe it is for anybody who has the desire and will, anybody who wants to build and contribute. No matter who I welcome into the dojo, I'll do my best to expect success – no surprises. | Master Didi Goodman A Meeting You Don't Want to Miss This issue of AWMAI News is dedicated to getting you registered for a very special – and important – annual conference: Teaching the Teacher 2021 - A Virtual Event, coming u I was planning to list all the reasons to attend, culminating in "Best of all, _______!" But I couldn't decide what was best – because, like the Zen story of the butcher (my favorite), "Everything is best!" Whether you're a regular attendee, an occasional drop-in, or someone considering whether to attend for the first time, this is the year to do it. This is the year to attend, because:
So, read on to get more details, but above all, get registered! Here's the link. Sijeh Sarah Sponzo After all the planning…it’s almost time!
What a difference a year makes! Shortly after we returned from a fabulous weekend in Florida, 2020 turned a bit upside down. It’s been a year of challenges and learning a new way to move forward. We have been living in “unprecedented times” and have learned to “pivot” in both our personal lives and business. I’m sure I’m not alone in wishing that we could magically return to life as it was one year ago.
But, the sentiment I started with is still true! After all the planning…it’s almost time! The Board has planned what we believe will be a valuable, fun and productive weekend. There is an amazing lineup of teachers, a great variety of classes, some fun social time, awards – and of course, networking with the finest group of women martial arts instructors anywhere!
Although we are spending time together virtually this year, we are still excited!
We are also excited that we'll get to return to seeing each other in person a year from now. COVID vaccines are rolling out. Indicators show that travel and group gatherings will open up later this year and we will be on the road – both literally and figurately. That is something to look forward to for sure.
Austin is waiting for us! We are looking forward to working with the team at the Holiday Inn Austin Town Lake to make our live comeback in 2022 a huge success. I know the team there is looking forward extending a big Texas welcome to AWMAI.
So, you don’t have to make a list, pack your bags or travel safely for this year’s conference. But, we are still looking forward to seeing you and having a great weekend. Get ready and we’ll see you on Zoom! AWMAI is for Newcomers Too! People sometimes think the AWMAI Conference is only for school owners and senior instructors. Not at all! Classes offered are very useful for someone just beginning the journey toward becoming a martial arts instructor. Of course, there are plenty of classes for school owners, senior instructors, and assistants – but if you are on the newer side, please don’t hesitate to join in! This group demonstrates an openness of sharing and support that is rarely seen.
AWMAI’s 2021 Conference coming up in February is an outstanding opportunity to meet, greet and learn from elite women martial arts instructors. Each has a wealth of knowledge about teaching. And, they want to share that knowledge.
The conference will be entirely online this year. If you have wanted to attend before but have been limited by the cost of time and travel, this is the year for you.
See what AWMAI is all about. The registration cost is affordable to anyone. And the travel cost is zero.
Hope to see you online in February! Sensei Katie Murphy Stevens |
Teaching the Teacher 2021: Instructors, Classes, and Panel Discussion AWMAI is proud to announce our very highly qualified teaching staff, and the timely and useful topics that will be presented at Teaching the Teacher 2021. Read below, and register now to ensure you don't miss any of this event! |