Effective Dispute Resolution

Much has been written about how Japan is different from other countries. This is especially true in how people resolve disputes with others.

Consider that in North America if Jim has a beef with his classmate, Pete, it’s not uncommon for Jim to go up to Pete and tell him off. Then, after telling Pete off, Jim goes around and brags about what he did. Usually, Jim feels like a big man for having spoken his mind.

Jim’s strategy isn’t too good because he and Pete might have an argument or even a fistfight when Jim tries to tell him off. So, instead of eliminating the problem, Jim has actually increased the chances of creating a bigger problem. Even more important, if Jim continues to employ this method of dispute resolution throughout his life, he will encounter big problems when he grows into adulthood.

For example, if Jim tells his co-workers or boss off every time he doesn’t like what they do, Jim will find himself getting fired and maybe getting into trouble with the law. For this reason, as we mature, we need to concentrate on controlling our emotions and considering the potential consequences of our actions.

In Japan, the first person who raises his voice loses the debate. Shouting comes from frustration or anger, which are unhelpful when we try to resolve disputes. So, Rule 1 is to speak at a proper volume. Rule 2 is to listen to what the other person has to say. Rule 3 is to respectfully offer our opinion. Rule 4 is to arrive at a conclusion that is acceptable to both people.

Japanese have disputes with their classmates, co-workers, family members and friends just like North Americans. However, they have different strategies for settling disputes that can be helpful to us.

Learn more about non-violent dispute resolution at Seichou Dojo. OSU!

What Do Martial Arts Do for Teens?

Teenagers are busy these days. So, why should they take time out of their busy schedules to study martial arts?

The answer is simple. No matter what your goals are, martial arts training will prepare you to succeed because they will make you physically and mentally strong and will empower you to be compassionate.

For example, in Seichou Karate^® class, we practice exercises and karate techniques that build strong, flexible muscles. So, in the first place, our training will give you the power and endurance to study, work or play hard for long periods of time.

Next, Seichou Karate^® is rigorous and many times during class when your muscles tire or you’re out of breath, you’ll want to take a rest. At those moments, your brain should kick in and override the natural tendency to quit. Your brain becomes stronger each time it overrules your body. This self-discipline is necessary for success in any field of endeavor.

Finally, as we develop great physical strength and powerful fighting skills, we often discover that we are stronger and more assertive than others. In fact, by virtue of our superior strength and fighting ability, in many situations it’s possible for us to intimidate others. This is a critical fork in the road that determines our character. Will we become bullies or use our special strength, knowledge and skill to achieve good in the world?

Seichou Karate^® teaches us that we must never use our special knowledge for violent or criminal purposes. Rather, we must use it to uplift ourselves, our families and others in the spirit of good citizenship.

Once we have developed a strong body, strong mind and a kind heart, we are prepared to strive toward the achievement any goal. In fact, the process of working toward our goals becomes more rewarding because we are confident that we are making our best effort and are behaving ethically. We also increase our chances of success because we are going about things in the right way. Ultimately, we will not achieve every goal or dream that we might desire. However, this becomes less important than the process of living our lives fully with family and friends whom we treasure.

This is the most important thing that Seichou Karate^® and martial arts do for us. OSU!

The Way of the Warrior

Earlier this week a photograph went viral of several U.S. marines engaged in conduct unbecoming of professional soldiers. It’s on the Internet and news agencies all over the world are talking about this incident.

When questioned about this matter, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta called the behavior “despicable.” In response, a leading U.S. politician has said that Mr. Panetta was wrong to have characterized the behavior so harshly.

I disagree with the politician because throughout history warriors and soldiers have always been held to high standards of behavior. This might sound strange when the job of a soldier is to fight and, sometimes, to kill. However, it is true.

Soldiers operate under strict laws and non-legal codes of conduct. Very simply, they must never abuse civilians or enemies whom they have defeated.

For this reason, it appears, that Defense Secretary Panetta is correct and that the politician is ignorant both of the law and of history.

Similarly, when students come to Seichou Karate® Dojo we entrust them with special knowledge. They must never use this special knowledge in violent or criminal ways. Instead, this knowledge is intended to help them make the most of life’s opportunities and to deal effectively with its challenges.

Above all, the special knowledge that students acquire at Seichou Karate® Dojo is intended to help them to live boldly, honorably, and to enable them to help others to do the same.

OSU!

Achieving Success and Happiness

Last January my wife gave birth to a baby girl and we are absolutely delighted to have a daughter. However, after being grateful that she’s healthy, we started thinking about what we want for her future. After careful thought and long discussions, we decided that we simply want her to be happy.

It seems simple, but how do we help her to become a happy and successful person? That’s a really difficult question to answer. Or is it?

Aside from the joy that I’ve gotten from having a wonderful family and friends, the only profound joy that I’ve experienced has come from hard work. It doesn’t matter what I’m working on; if I try my best and sacrifice, irrespective of the result, I feel good about myself after I’ve completed my task.

This has always been true in karate, it was true in college and law school, and has been true in my professional career. In fact, whenever I have a difficult task or chore to perform, I make a game out of it. If I honestly try hard to do a good job, then irrespective of what other people might think or say, I feel good at the end of the process. It’s that simple!

For example, if you want to become great at karate, then you should make an honest attempt to practice hard in class and at home. Make a list of the things that you want to improve and a time limit for improving them. Then, if at the end of the time period you have not accomplished your goal, you didn’t work hard enough. No excuses.

But, how do you know if you’re working hard enough? In karate, if you finish class and your uniform is dry, then you know that you haven’t worked hard enough because you have not sweat. In karate you’ve got to sweat to make progress. So, you can’t fool yourself.

Studying and school work are the same. If it’s Sunday night and you know that you’ve got a quiz on Wednesday, you decide how many times you need to review the quiz material in order to score well. Then, if you haven’t completed your review by Tuesday night before you go to sleep, you haven’t worked hard enough. Here again, you can’t fool yourself.

So, don’t waste your time searching for some “secret” to success and happiness because there isn’t really a secret. Just sweat to get what you want and most of the time you will succeed. And, if by some chance you don’t succeed, then you can still feel good about yourself because you will have made an honest effort and you can always try again.

OSU!�

Much is Given and Much is Expected

Growing up in the U.S. can be a wonderful thing because the sky is the limit for our dreams and goals. However, this wonderful opportunity has a sticky flip-side because if we don’t try hard we appear lazy and spoiled.

In childhood our proud parents often praise us. How often have you heard “you’re very intelligent,” or “you can do anything that you set your mind to”? Well if those things are true, does it reflect poorly on us if we don’t work hard to achieve our goals?

Yes, it does. Here’s why.

There are severely disadvantaged people here in the U.S. and abroad who have far fewer opportunities than many of us enjoy. In fact, some disadvantaged people are unable to attend school because they cannot afford tuition and others can’t even find work because there are no jobs. Notwithstanding, many disadvantaged people achieve greater success than is achieved by people who do not suffer disadvantage.

So, when we meet a successful person who was once disadvantaged, most of us are either inspired or embarrassed. Inspiration comes from understanding that we can overcome nearly any obstacle when we work hard. Embarrassment comes from the stark realization that our efforts to achieve our dreams have been mediocre.

In sum, if one works hard, his chances of achieving success are as good or better in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world. So, it’s both a great advantage and a burden to be a young person in the U.S. because to those to whom much is given, much is expected.

Seichou Karate® challenges and provides teenagers with the confidence to make the most of every opportunity that this great nation offers. OSU!

Consequences

In my first semester of law school one of my professors taught us that most people obey the law because they’re fear the consequences of disobeying it. He believed that people don’t follow the law out of goodness or morality.

For example, according to my law professor, most drivers don’t obey the speed limit for safety; they obey it because they don’t want to get a speeding ticket; most people don’t steal money because they’re afraid of going to jail – not because it is wrong to steal; most corporations don’t pollute because they don’t want to get fined, not because it is wrong to pollute.

Intelligent people can disagree on this question. However, we have a true-life case study that might help us to understand this problem.

In January NBA star Gilbert Arenas was charged by DC authorities with the crime of carrying an unlicensed gun. He could have gone to jail for several years for this serious felony. However, last week, Arenas learned that he would not go to jail. He is a very lucky man because a jail term could have ended his professional basketball career and wrecked his life.

Before learning that he would not go to jail, when he was terrified that he would lose everything, Arenas publicly apologized for having broken the law and disappointing his family, fans and teammates. Arenas must be very elated that he has been giving a second chance at life, but has he learned from his mistake or will he repeat his error?

Only time will tell. However, my law school professor would probably argue that Arenas will continue to engage in criminal behavior that places others at risk because he did not suffer significant consequences.

What do you think? Are consequences (jail time) necessary to keep Gilbert Arenas from breaking the law again? Or, will this experience be enough to keep him from repeating his mistake?

Let us know what you think below. OSU!

A Horse's Tail

A wise person once said that a man's fortune can change with the swoosh of a horse's tail.

On January 14, Washington Wizards star guard Gilbert Arenas was charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. That's a felony, which means that Arenas could serve at least a year in jail.

Apparently, he had an argument with one of his teammates and pulled a gun on the other guy in the team locker room. The question is: why did he do it?

Arenas is a famous star athlete who had a 111 million dollar contract to do something that he loves... play basketball! So, why did he behave so recklessly?

No one can know what was going through his mind when he made the decision to carry an unlicensed firearm. However, it's clear that he KNEW that his conduct was illegal. So, he KNEW that he has taking a big chance with his career and life.

Arenas' problem was that he did not appreciate how lucky he was. He had great health, talent, money, fame, and family and friends who loved him. He thought that he was invincible, but he was wrong. He never considered that - just like Michael Vick and other pro-athletes - one poor decision could wreck his entire life.

Anything that is truly valuable in life takes time to achieve or cultivate. It is difficult to master Seichou Karate. So, when we achieve that black belt, we should appreciate all of the work that we invested to in achieving that goal.

Wise people treasure their health, family, friends, and career because they know that these things are fragile. We can lose them in an instant or with swoosh of a horse's tail. Don't repeat Gilbert Arenas' mistake. OSU!