MARTIAL ARTS
AGENDA
DECEMBER 2019
THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR
CREATING AND SETTING GOALS
As I get older and more mature and gain more life experience, I find that creating and setting goals for myself becomes more important to who I am. My goals aren’t “flash” goals that flare up and then burn out just as quickly. Instead, I make sure my goals will really benefit myself and the people around me. For me, the most opportune time to start thinking about goals is the short span between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s one of my favorite times to start planning for the new year and gives me a chance to take a look over the past 12 months. Reflecting is one of the best ways I’ve learned to plan for my new goals. If there’s something I didn’t quite accomplish in the previous year, it might be something I need to continue focusing on in the year to come. I also enjoy thinking about all the goals I did accomplish and getting excited about the new goals I set for myself. It’s a great way to give myself something to look forward to. To plan for these goals, I like to set some time aside each day to think and plan about what I need to work toward. I usually have some time off in the week leading up to New Year’s, and each morning I think about a different topic of each goal I’ve set. I have a notebook where I can track the goals I have, make new goals, and see how far I’ve come. This time is crucial for me to think about what I want to achieve in the future. While I’ve always enjoyed planning and executing these goals, I have had my share of challenges along the way. This past year, I’ve done a lot of things that required me to be courageous. There were many times I made myself step outside of my comfort zone, but I knew it was important for me to do. I couldn’t keep doing the same things over and over; to make a real impact, I had to step away from what I was comfortable with. Coming out of the fourth quarter of 2019, I feel like I’ve truly accomplished that, and it’s a great feeling even if it’s a little scary.
What helped me through the more difficult times of chasing my goals was creating a mantra for myself. My mantra always reminded me of my goals and the weight behind them. Something as simple as repeating to myself “be patient” in times where I found it difficult to be patient was extremely helpful.
Even as this month comes to a close, I know 2020 is going to be a big year for me. I have some very bold goals I’ve been thinking about accomplishing, nothing I can put down on paper just yet, but I do get a sense this year is going to be a big one.
– Amanda Olson
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MORE THAN JUST ‘YOU’LL SHOOTYOUR EYE OUT!’ LESSONS FAMILIES CAN LEARN FROM ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’
in certain parts of the Christmas season can fade slowly or die as quickly as the spin of a decoder pin, but parents can always be there to remind children about what’s really important during the Christmas season. SOMETIMES ‘DISASTERS’ LEAD TO NEW ADVENTURES. Christmas Day can be hectic, and, in the hubbub of it all, sometimes disaster can feel inevitable. Ralphie’s parents certainly experience their fair share of disaster in hilarious fashion when the Bumpus Hounds destroy their holiday turkey and leave nothing but the heavenly aroma. But, when Ralphie’s father takes them out to eat at a local Chinese restaurant, it creates a whole new Christmas tradition for the Parker family. Our holiday mishaps, no matter how tragic, are rarely the end of the world.
In 1983, one movie introduced Red Ryder BB guns, fishnet-clad leg lamps, and bright red bars of soap into America’s everlasting Christmas mythos. Now, over 35 years later, “A Christmas Story” continues to delight audiences every holiday season with timeless lessons for viewers of all ages. In a story where kids are clever and kind, and parents are bumbling and wise, “A Christmas Story” has more lessons to offer families than just, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” YOUR KIDS ARE LISTENING TO YOU (OH, FUDGE!). They aren’t always obedient, but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening. After Ralphie lets slip the “queen mother of dirty words” in front of his father, the narrator reminisces about first hearing that word from his old man — possibly when he was trying to get their furnace to work. He doesn’t admit this to his mother, but it’s a lesson for parents everywhere that kids may hear more than they let on. KIDS WON’T BELIEVE IN MAGIC FOREVER. Magical stories about Santa or even “Little Orphan Annie’s” Secret Society fill children’s hearts with wonder but won’t enchant them forever. Belief
Consider one final tip: Do not stick your tongue to any flagpoles this winter! Happy holidays!
BUILDING CONFIDENCE HELPING YOUR CHILD GROW
While some kids are energetic and sociable, others keep to themselves and are rather timid. Regardless of your child’s temperament, martial arts can build their confidence. The more a child practices, even if only a little, the more they boost their self-esteem, not only in the dojo but also in many aspects of life. All a child needs is a little bit of guts and faith to take one small step forward. With enough nerve, they can push themselves into a world of freedom to pursue the life they want and deserve. Support from you is also crucial. When a child knows someone is encouraging them after they launch themselves into something that might seem scary, like martial arts, they can be emboldened to succeed. A child who is afraid of stepping out into the world and trying something new needs this type of support. It’s important that all children, whether they’re reserved or outgoing, aren’t forced into it, but instead, are patiently supported through their endeavors. Sometimes, this could mean parents involve themselves in whatever new activity their child starts. Try volunteering to coach, working in the classroom, going on field trips, or even just sitting in the audience. Having a friendly face in the audience will boost your child’s confidence significantly.
Positive feedback is also key in helping a child gain confidence. Let them know how proud you are of them when they take a scary opportunity. Give your child a chance to talk about the experience to you, and find ways to reward them for their efforts. It can also be important to talk about failures. People of any age can learn from failure; it’s a chance to look at mistakes and work toward fixing them. However, it is essential that they are not discussed negatively. Address them, yes, but never in a way that is demeaning. Anyone can build the confidence they deserve with enough practice, just like anything else. Start by taking little steps and build until you’re up to a full sprint.
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BE SMART ABOUT YOUR GOALS Everyone struggles with accomplishing the goals they’ve set for themselves at least once in life. Let’s face it; it can be difficult to maintain a goal through busy, day-to-day life, but through careful planning, you can reach them. SMART is a method used by people both professionally and personally. This goal-setting strategy helps people lock onto what they want to accomplish, whether short- or long-term, and makes them more easily attainable. Creating a SMART goal means that you are creating goals that are S pecific, M easurable, A chievable, R elevant, and T ime-bound. SPECIFIC Goals that are too broad can be overwhelming and difficult to keep track of. When you set a goal for yourself, be clear about what the goal is, why it’s important to you, and what you need to do to succeed. MEASURABLE If a goal isn’t measurable, there’s no way to know just how far you’ve come from the beginning. This is a key factor if you want to stay motivated while pushing toward the finish line. By measuring your goal, you’ll stay focused and gain a sense of pride in your efforts. ACHIEVABLE You don’t want to set a goal you can’t obtain; not only will it discourage you, but it will also place unnecessary stress on your shoulders. Think about a goal that challenges you, but not something beyond your abilities. RELEVANT The question you should ask yourself here is this: “Does this goal matter to me?” Whether your goal is personal or professional, it’s vital that it’s appropriate for you at this moment and that it will be worth pursuing. TIME-BOUND Every goal needs to be limited to a certain amount of time. When you set a certain date for your goal to be completed, it keeps you motivated and helps you keep your priorities straight. You’ll be more focused and determined to achieve the goal in the time limit you’ve given yourself. DON’T BE TEMPTED BYVAGUE IDEAS
WHAT TO REMEMBER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
When receiving a present or gift, be thoughtful in opening it. Make sure to be gracious and say thank you to the person who gave it to you. You’ll notice that when you give someone a gift, it feels good when they show their appreciation. Make sure you let the gift givers in your life know you are thankful for them.
Remember, if you have any questions, please reach out to AMANDA@ASKMASTERMOM.COM
BACON-WRAPPED CHESTNUTS
INGREDIENTS
•
1/4 cup coconut sugar
•
2 8-oz cans water chestnuts
•
1 lb sliced bacon, quartered
•
Tamari (wheat-free soy sauce), but can substitute with coconut aminos
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat an oven to 400 F. 2. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with parchment and set aside. 3. Drain liquid from canned water chestnuts, add tamari to cover, and let soak for 15 minutes in the cans. 4. Drain tamari, roll each chestnut in coconut sugar, wrap with bacon, and spear on toothpick. 5. Place chestnuts on prepared rack. Bake for 30–35 minutes. 6. Plate and serve.
By following the SMART method, the goals you set for 2020 won’t only be practical but also attainable.
Inspired by “Paleo Happy Hour” by Kelly Milton
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INSIDE
2020 IS A BIG YEAR
LESSONS FAMILIES CAN LEARN FROM ‘A CHRISTMAS STORY’
ALL IT TAKES IS A LITTLE PRACTICE
SETTING GOALS JUST GOT EASY
BACON-WRAPPED CHESTNUTS
THE HISTORY BEHIND CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
WHY DOWE HANG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS? The first string of twinkling lights illuminating your neighbor’s house is always a telltale sign of the upcoming seasonal festivities. Christmas lights are a holiday staple, but have you ever wondered where this beloved tradition started? The tradition of hanging lights on the tree originally started with candles. Because this posed an immense fire hazard, Edward Hibberd Johnson, a close friend of Thomas Edison and vice president of the Edison Electric Light Company, vowed to find a better way to decorate Christmas trees with light. In December 1882, three years after Edison’s invention of the lightbulb in November 1879, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue lightbulbs together and wound them around a Christmas tree in his parlor window. A passing reporter saw the spectacle and declared in the Detroit Post and Tribune, “One can hardly imagine anything prettier.” Johnson continued this tradition, increasing the number of lights each year and eventually putting them up outside. But because electricity was still a new concept, many years passed before the fad took off for regular Americans. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the tradition of lighting the National Christmas Tree, which spurred the idea of selling stringed lights commercially. By the 1930s, families everywhere were buying boxes of bulbs by the dozen. Today, an estimated 150 million Christmas lights are sold in America each year, decorating 80 million homes and consuming 6% of the nation’s electricity every December. Whether you’ll be putting up your own lights or appreciating the most impressive light displays in your neighborhood or town, let the glow fill you with joy this season. Just don’t leave them up until February!
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