Onegaishimasu parents and students,
It's been exactly one year since we took our Keiko Karate program online and I want to start by saying a huge thank you to you our wonderful Keiko Dojo families for your overwhelming support during this challenging time. Your compassion, dedication, and never give up attitude reflect the true essence of what it means to be part of our Keiko Dojo family, and leaders in the community. We couldn’t do this without you…Thank You! Closing the dojo was one of the most difficult yet easiest decisions I have ever had to make, and done with the health and safety of you, our Keiko dojo families, and the Keiko TEAM at the forefront of those decisions. Although I've found it extremely challenging at times to wrap my head around all the changes, I stay grounded in remembering I am solely responsible for my inner world, and because I lead with my heart will almost always make the appropriate decisions. As the vaccine rollout accelerates, and we move closer to re-openings throughout our community, I feel now more than ever it is important to stay focused. Black belts start strong but they finish even stronger!
I've been reflecting a lot recently about the past year, the ups, the downs, the fears, the change, the struggle, the accomplishments, the grief, the loss, and what it means to be a good citizen and leader during this time. No matter what's going on around us, we almost always have the freedom to choose what's going on inside of us. We can choose what we focus on. We can choose our inner dialogue. We can choose which media we consume, which inevitably influences what we focus on, our inner dialogue, and how we feel about life. We choose our thoughts. We choose how we influence. We can stay present knowing we all have the power to generate love, acceptance, peace, gratitude and joy, and that those feelings and emotions serve us in the midst of chaos, crisis, and the unknown.
While most people may not remember anything specific about the virus itself, except maybe the toilet paper thing? (Haha) I think we will all remember that, they will remember how they were made to feel during this time. They will remember how people around them acted, how they felt at home, at school, and in the community. They will remember whether or not there was a sense of panic or a sense of calm around them. Your children and friends will have looked to you to better understand how they should think, feel, and react in this time of stress and uncertainty, and discovered you were the rock in all this craziness.
Parenting is the highest form of leadership, and if this past year has taught me anything it’s Keiko Dojo Parents are the best parents, and the leaders this community needs now more than ever. You have been the exemplary role models for not only your children but for the community around you.
I am humbled. Black Belts, Keiko students, and parents always finish strong!! It’s the only way we know.
Respectfully
Sensei Chris
and your Keiko TEAM
Keiko Karate – “Actually we do make Ninjas and Superheroes here………………we turn kids into Ninjas and we turn their parents into their superheroes!”