Again, I’ve been ranting a bit about social media to those who will listen. I am pleased to see people “liking” the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children!
We often take for granted how safe our streets are. We must remain vigilant in our pursuit of security. Although I would love to have everyone training in martial arts I know it isn’t realistic.
Starting children at an early age in martial arts can be a gift that will continually give back. We might not see it right away, but your child will thank you if you maintain a consistent stress on the importance of training.
I recently had a conversation with a friend who has been doing Karate for 40 years and recently came to me to do some Krav Maga, Muay Thai, and Jiu Jitsu. He spoke about how his son hated going to Karate when he was younger. It didn’t matter that his son disliked it. He made him go and to this day he still trains. A few years ago his son came to him and said thank you so much for all those years of making me go to Karate.
I normally have the conversation with people who say, “I don’t want them to do something they don’t want to do.” Would you say that about their school work? Why is there no focus on the body and mind being strong together? Martial arts emphasizes this! There must be a connection between the two. Think about how amazing you feel after you train in Krav Maga, Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA, Kali, Jiu Jitsu etc (if you haven’t, get to it). Your thoughts are clearer, you feel motivated, you feel aware, you are present.
We can’t be the scapegoats for the decisions of our children. We need to be responsible and lead them, not allow them to make decisions that lead to weakness. If martial arts aren’t something you want your children to get involved in, find them something and coach them in the importance of situational awareness.
“I don’t want my child to be violent.” Martial arts doesn’t do that. You want your child to be a pacifist when someone tries to hurt them, grab them, or steal them from you? I don’t want people to be violent at all. I often wish the world were that sort of place. We could all work together, our natural resources weren’t being depleted, our education system was shared by the planet and prisons were empty because violent crime wasn’t a reality any longer, and everyone was fit and happy…see where I’m going?
Martial arts gives children something more to aspire to. They learn about themselves. They learn how to treat others. They earn a skill set that can be utilized when they need it the most. If your child doesn’t want to play a sport, direct them to martial arts. If they do want to play a sport, still instill in them the importance of martial arts. There should be options to do one or the other, not simply sit around.
I can go on and on about bullying as an issue, it is. We can go on and on about childhood obesity and focus on it as a problem because it is. When there is no direction, there is no choice to do what is right. Without discipline and the understanding of its importance there is risk in losing it all.
I understand that there are those of you who think, “I’ve made it this far without needing martial arts. No one is going to hurt me.” Everyone thinks that until it does happen. I don’t wake up thinking someone will mug me today so I better be prepared. I train in it so if it does happen, I know I am prepared.
I’ve been sharing the below link to have us all lend a hand in helping find missing children. I would encourage you all to do the same. It doesn’t take much. One click could be the difference in finding someone. And yes, I do think if we were training our children about the dangers that lurk about, that these numbers could decrease. Some people call me a dreamer, but I’m also not a quitter. Until everyone is training, I won’t stop believing that martial arts can make a difference in the lives of many.
Train often.
S. Derhammer
https://www.facebook.com/missingkids?ref=ts&fref=ts
Elite Training Center Redondo Beach
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 928-6278
Elite Training Center Hermosa Beach
1601 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 170
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 597-4669
