News

  
Cambridge Tang Soo Do would like to congratulate the following students for successfully completing the 2010 winter testing cycle:

  
Adults

Michael Vemula	1st Gup
Jason Green	2nd Gup
Navilla Bagga	5th Gup
Colin South	7th Gup
Trevor Boylston	7th Gup
Ebe Janchivdorj	7th Gup

  Kids

Luke Schlatter	5th Gup
Finnigan Paquette	6th Gup
Alex South	7th Gup
Samantha Averitt	7th Gup
Katarina Klacko	8th Gup
Isabel DeLuis	8th Gup
Maya DeLuis	8th Gup
Je’mi Pearson	9th Gup

  Little Dragons

Kalyani Duva	Red
Theo Cooper	Orange
Elias Kinaoui	Orange
Alec Klacko	Yellow
Nick Cordell	Yellow

  
A warm welcome to the following students who have decided to start their journey in the Martial Arts at Cambridge Tang Soo Do:

Allan Dunne

Riley Curtin

Luis Colon

Marc Evans

Aj Singh

Donna Robinson

Nick Cordell

Training in the Martial Arts conditions and prepares us to defend ourselves against dangerous people and threatening situations, which is great because it better prepares you for how you would respond during an actual assault or attack. However, one of the greatest dangers we alldeal with everyday isn’t so much a physical threat, but more common is the risk of a being harmed by someone’s negative comments, negative attitudes or negative emotions.

Applying the Yin-Yang or Um-Yang approach to defending against negative forces would tell us to always be ready to counter with positives. Applying this in a physical attack, one method of defense is to do the exact opposite of your opponent. If they lunge forward in a straight line, you may defend by backing away in a circular direction. If they strike high, you may defend against the attack and counter low.

When hit with a negative…counter with a positive, is the same theory. Try applying it to daily life where we may be attacked verbally or assaulted emotionally. If someone makes a negative comment about someone you know and care about, you may redirect them with a positive comment. This does two things: it serves as a pattern interrupt and focuses the other person’s attention on what is good about the person or thing in question (maybe someone shares a negative rumor that an acquaintance is spreading, ignore the rumor and share something positive instead; maybe someone you know becomes very negative and reactive) your goal would be to stay calm, positive and proactive.

Self-defense is about defending yourself not about harming the attacker. Our Moo Do symbol at the very center of our Federation’s logo speaks to this. The Chinese Character may be translated as “Stop the Sword”. This may also be translated as stop both inner and outer conflict. Think of the same concept in dealing with negative people or situations. The goal is to avoid harm, not cause it. Practice this theory and you’ll see yourself staying calmer and increasingly better at keeping a positive outlook and attitude toward everything and everybody.

It’s been said many times that attitude determines your altitude in life. To be the best Black Belt leader & champion you are capable of becoming, you must constantly condition your attitude and emotions to remain positive and optimistic. The effort and energy you give to this area will strengthen your performance, on and off the mat.

A great Train-your-Brain reminder is to liken your daily outlook and attitude, to your physical fitness, conditioning and flexibility. The effort and energy you give, determines what you get. You need to condition yourself daily, or you may find yourself slipping backwards. If you don’t actively fill your mind with positives thoughts and ideas, it is easy to become negative. Why is that? Watch the news, listen to the radio, most of the TV and movies we all watch are filled with negatives and very few positives. If you absorb negative content, it’s easy to become negative. Before you know it, you develop a negative attitude and your mind becomes filled with negatives: fear, doubt, worry, envy, anger and many other negative thoughts and feelings about yourself and others.

How successful do you think you will become in anything, if you’re loaded with all those negatives? Not very! A positive attitude and mindset creates an energy force that inspires and motivates people to take positive actions and creates positive results. It helps to create an uplifting emotion that will enhance your learning and promotes a positive, progressive energy for life. Stinkin’ Thinkin’ and “Hardening of the Attitudes” are dangerous diseases that can kill desire and dampen enthusiasm. If left untreated, they will lead to a downward spiral in your life and can do great damage to your health, wealth and happiness. It can have huge impact on your relationships, ones that were once pretty good, can go down the tubes quickly. Positive thoughts lead to positive feelings and emotions, which leads you to take positive actions, which leads to positive results. If you want to see better results, it would do you good to give yourself a Check-up from the Neck up.

Decide today that you are going to be a positive person that is making a positive difference in people’s lives. Read and study positive and inspirational material every day, hang around positive people and talk about positive things. Soon your entire life will be moving in a much more positive direction. It’s a lot of fun and you’ll be a lot more fun to be around. No matter how positive you already are, I’m sure you would agree that your optimism is frequently put to the test. Let’s team up and spread the good stuff to all the people that we can influence!

Champions in life come out of the gate fast and furious. Ever watch the Kentucky Derby? The highest priced thoroughbreds in the world, come out charging as soon as those gates are opened. If they hesitate, they lose. How about Olympic Gold Medal swimmer, Michael Phelps? He comes out fast and furious to set the pace and win the gold.

A high percentage of Top 5% Achievers get an early and aggressive start to their day. A great quote to remember is: “Do a bunch by lunch…be a winner by dinner!” When you start your day fast, you set the pace for the entire day and you’ll find that your overall productivity and results increase and improve. Rarely do you find anyone winning the race of life if they start slow and lack clarity and purpose to their actions. Be proactive, pick up the pace, start each day earlier and faster. Become more aggressive in your actions and attitudes toward the goals and dreams you desire. The later you start your day and the slower you are to take action, the less you’re going to get done. Therefore accomplishing less. As a Top Performer, you must take action everyday to move you closer to your ultimate objective.

Start each day fast with purpose and direction. Take massive action sooner versus later, so you can enjoy massive results and rewards in your life. Don’t wait…create!