How to Develop a Winning Attitude by Brandon Richards

One of the best tools that you can acquire as you go through life will be a winning attitude.  Whether in the Martial Arts, in school, or in business, a winning attitude will give you the extra push you need to succeed and make you shine.  In fact, one of the most important elements to success in the Martial Arts, and life, is to carry a positive, winning attitude with you wherever you go.  But what does it take in our everyday lives to develop a winning attitude?

             A positive outlook is the single most important element in achieving a winning attitude.   If you hold a positive attitude, you are able to relate to the world on a positive basis.   People with a positive attitude always look for the "can do," not the "cannot do," side of each situation they face.  If you think you can, you have a better chance of succeeding than if you take a negative approach to the situation. Having a positive attitude means believing not only in yourself, but also seeing others in a positive light. A positive attitude is contagious.  When it is sincere, people with whom you come into contact will relate to you and your activities with a vitality and positive attitude that causes a winning, successful environment.

Another important element in achieving a winning attitude is passion.  Passion is the driving force within those with a winning attitude.  It sets them apart from others.  Passion is an energy that gives them the fuel to realize their potential and feel good about themselves.  When you begin to realize your potential and feel truly good about the person that you have become, you will begin to believe in yourself. You must also constantly remind yourself to encourage others.  This is the essence of the Martial Arts spirit.

A final element that can help you to have a winning attitude is energy.   If you maintain a high level of physical energy, it will prevent you from feeling tired and discouraged when adversity strikes.  Physical energy can be obtained by maintaining a healthy diet, working out regularly (both in and out of the dojang), and taking care of your body and yourself.

VITAL CHILD SAFETY TIPS

When it comes to keeping your child safe at all times, there is only a certain amount you can do as a parent. You cannot watch them all day and sometimes you will take your eyes off them. This is natural. So one thing you can do is to learn as many child safety tips as you can and child proof your home as much as you can. There are many ways to protect children but here are just a few child safety tips that every parent or caretaker should pay attention to immediately: 1. Always teach your children to never talk to strangers. This safety tip is often overlooked and may seem aged but the truth is that there are many people out there who simply cannot be trusted. Teaching your child this from an early age will really help them to stay safe. You should tell them that if they are approached by a stranger to tell another adult/friend as soon as they can. You may want to use a 'safe word' so children have a way of checking someone out that is unfamiliar to them. The should also know that if they are ever approached by a stranger they should alert parents, teacher or police officers around them that they were approached by a stranger. 2. Teach them road safety. Again this may seem obvious but still not enough parents teach their children how to safely cross the road. That's why there are still thousands of children killed on the roads every year. So teach them from an early age to look both ways before crossing, always use pedestrian crossings, and never to try to cross the road from between parked cars. If they ride a bike, get them to use the sidewalk and not the road or have them take a biking safety course. 3. Protect them in the home. Sadly there are also many child deaths in the home which could be prevented. You should install child safety gates on the top of the staircase to prevent the child from falling down stairs. You should install child safety locks on cupboards/draws which contain dangerous items for the child, such as sharp knives or medication. If you have a swimming pool then you should install a child safety pool fence to ensure the child cannot enter the pool without your knowledge. Also use safety latches to prevent heavy furniture such as dressers from toppling over on a young child. All in all, there are many child safety tips which you can use to protect your child when you are not around. Please use them today and your child will one day thank you for it.

Master Lee and Instructor Armen Sparring

The Competition Team - Your Path to Gold Medal Excellence

While some people dream of being a world class athlete and winning an Olympic Gold Medal, others go after their dreams. They train hard, don’t give up and persist until they are proudly standing at the top of the podium with a gold medal around their neck. What does the Gold Medal represent? Years of dedication, perseverance and the ability to take on the impossible and make it possible. The Seattle Tae Kwon Do Competition Team is just such a group. These young men and women train to be the best. It is a select group of 12 students who push themselves and their teammates to their very limits. We currently have two openings on the team. If you are a green belt and are actively sparring, please see Grand Master Richards for information.

Wisdom of the Ages

A Cherokee elder was teaching his grandchildren about life.... He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me… it is a terrible fight between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, hatefulness, and lies.... The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, humbleness, kindness, friendship, generosity, faith, and truth.....This same fight is going on inside of you, and inside every other person, too.”....The children thought about it for a minute. Then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” .....The Cherokee elder replied… “The one you feed.”

Don't Be a Holiday Crime Target

Tis the season to be jolly and, unfortunately, tis also the season for criminals to take advantage of frolicking folks.

The busy holiday shopping season is here. When you are at the mall looking for those precious gifts, take the following precautions to protect yourself from becoming a victim:

Vehicle Prowl Prevention:

Vehicle prowls are the theft of property from a motor vehicle. Most are crimes of opportunity through unlocked doors and open windows where victims usually encounter expensive vehicle damage – especially to their windows, doors and locks.

Large parking locations such as shopping centers among others are prime targets for a prowler since multiple vehicles can be hit in a short time span. To avoid being a car prowl target:

• Use a garage or secure location whenever possible.


• Park in well-lit areas where your car can be seen.


• Avoid isolated areas. Park near locations frequently used by pedestrians.


• If you hear something suspicious (shattering glass) or see someone looking into vehicles, call 911.


• Roll up the windows and lock all doors.


• Secure the trunk, hatches, bed-mounted tool boxes, and canopies.


• Activate your alarm.


• If you have a removable car stereo, remove it.


• Install anti-theft devices.


• Don't leave packages, bags of any kind visible on the seats or floor of your car. Use the trunk. “Put Your Junk in the Trunk.”


• If you take packages to your car trunk and want to go back to the mall, move your car. Most newer vehicles have a trunk release inside the car (in the glove box or by the driver). If the thief sees something that you have just purchased that he wants, he can easily break a window and open your trunk.

Special Winter Weather Warning:

During the winter months, many people warm up their cars in the morning and then leave them unattended. Don’t do this! Not only is it against the law, but a running car is also an invitation to a car thief.

Parking lot/ Personal Safety:

• Consider using the mall's valet parking service if it offers one.


• Make a note of your parking spot so that you don’t have to wander around the parking lot after shopping.


• Have your keys in your hand before leaving the mall and walk purposely to your car.


• Make sure nobody is in the car before entering, and lock the doors immediately when you get inside.


• If you are leaving a mall alone at night, you may request a security escort to your car.


• At an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), choose one that is located inside a mall, grocery store, or well-lighted location. Withdraw only the amount of cash you need. Shield the ATM keypad from anyone who is standing near you so they cannot view your transaction or obtain your PIN. Do not throw your ATM receipt away.


• Don't display large sums of cash in public. Be discreet about money or other valuables you are carrying.


• Be alert in public restrooms. If anything seems amiss or if a group of people is loitering in the area, leave quickly and find another facility.


• Stay alert in crowds to protect your valuables. A thief can use the cover of the crowd to make a quick getaway after stealing your wallet or shopping bag.


• Take only the credit cards you NEED for shopping, leave the rest at home.


• Ladies, carry your purses close to your body and separate your cash from your credit card.


• Men, consider carrying your wallet in a front pocket and/or adding a large rubber band around it so if a thief tries to swipe it, it will get caught on the pocket.


• Don't keep your keys in your purse. If your purse is stolen, the thief will have your address and keys to your home. Keep your keys in your pocket without an ID.
  
  For more personal safety tips please see www.seattletaekwondo.com or for personal safety classes, please call Seattle Tae Kwon Do at 425-775-0299.
  
  Grand Master Brandon Richards, Ph. D
  8th Degree Black Belt
  

Halloween Child Safety

MAKE HALLOWEEN A FUN, SAFE AND HAPPY TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY BY FOLLOWING THE TIPS AND GUIDELINES LISTED BELOW;


What could be more important than the safety of our children? To protect your child, think of the outside world as a jungle and your child as prey. The predator will be looking for the young and unattended! Here are some basic Halloween tips for kids and parents to be more aware of:

1. Choose a costume that is fire-proof, fits properly and allows you to see where you are going.

2. If your costume includes a prop, make sure that the ends are smooth and flexible enough not to cause an injury if fallen on.

3. Make sure you can see and be seen after dark by wearing a light-colored costume, using reflective tape and by carrying a flashlight.

4. NEVER go alone. You should either go with your parents or, if old enough, with a group of friends. If you are going to go house-to-house, without your parents, be sure and plan a route ahead of time with your family so they know where you’ll be and who will be with you.

5. ONLY approach houses that have their house lights on.

6. While at the door, stand back several feet from the entrance and NEVER go inside a stranger’s house.

7. Cross the street at corners and be sure to look both ways for traffic.

8. Always be cautious around candles and Jack-o-lanterns and don’t stand too close because your costume might catch fire.

9. Be careful around pets and animals; they might be over-excited or scared of people they don’t know or costumes and bite.

10. Bring your candy home to be inspected BEFORE eating to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with.Halloween is a wonderful holiday for children when safety tips like these are used. It’s not what you do for your children, but what you’ve taught them to do for themselves that will keep them safe while having fun.


Safety Tips is an ongoing, public safety and awareness program presented by Seattle Tae Kwon Do.

Grand Master Brandon Richards, Ph. D
Seattle Tae Kwon Do - http://www.seattletaekwondo.com/