August 2013 Newsletter

Wise Words from Sifu Rick!

“The recipe for perpetual ignorance is : be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge!”

AASD ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Friday 8/16/13 at  6:30 pm,  Belt Test (Little & Junior Dragons)
• Adult Belt Saturday 8/17/13 at  11:00am in Class.
• Leadership class Saturday 8/3/13  8:00am.
• Picture day August 24th and 25th 2013.
• 17th annual Pizza bash Saturday August 24th 6:00pm Magoos in Newbury Park.

Black Belt Pride

August 2013 Student of the Month

Alexis Pirie

Alexis Pirie is the student of the month for August of 2013. Alexis started with AASD in February of 2010. As a little dragon to start Alexis showed great strength and perseverance to always do her best no matter what.

Alexis is currently a 2nd Degree Brown belt, looking to join the black belt club soon to learn weapons and become the prestigious Black Belt.

Alexis along with her younger sister Nicole, set an example of attendance and respect for learning which is second to none.

Sifu Rick & staff would like to salute Alexis’s parents John and LuAnne for all their support of not only Alexis and Nicole but of our Black Belt School as well.

Developing a Healthy Sense of Humor

By Joseph Galea

When you approach life with a healthy sense of humor, it’s easier to face challenges. Take them seriously, but see the lighter side of those challenges. Always have a smile on your face, even though your mind is focused on success.

Start to develop a healthy sense of humor by recognizing the amusing or humorous elements of everyday situations. Minor accidents, temporary misfortunes or small mistakes can be much less embarrassing when you react with a funny remark. Although some people are naturally witty, everyone is able to develop the skills to be light-hearted, positive and funny.

Imagine yourself in the following examples of everyday situations. Take a few seconds to collect your thoughts when you find yourself in one of these situations and then share your humorous or positive comment:

1. Instead of crying or being embarrassed when you fall, say “Who put that invisible banana peel there?”
2. Instead of being embarrassed because of a scratch on your face, say “I’m wearing my Halloween costume early this year.”
3. Instead of being concerned about a stain on your shirt, say “This is my friend Spot and he will be with me all day.”
4. Instead of worrying that your clothes are accidentally wet, say “I didn’t realize that my clothes were thirsty.”
5. Instead of being mad at a negative comment about your braces, say “I guess we know who is the new braces monitor. Good job!”
   (Some of these reactions may be corny, but they will lighten potentially negative situations! Think of a few of your own and write them on a piece of paper to help you develop your healthy sense of humor.)

Laugh at yourself! Don’t be embarrassed or angry! Those are the secrets to develop a great sense of humor. It is an important character trait, and shows that you’re able to maintain your self-esteem in difficult situations. A light-hearted personality is one that your friends and family will always cherish.

Warning! You should never “joke” about others’ accidents, misfortunes or mistakes. That is not a healthy sense of humor; in fact, it almost makes you a bully. Always remember that your sense of humor is meant to make everyone smile and share the fun and laughter.

Spread Your Enthusiasm

When you first organize your day and anticipate the opportunities and enjoyments you’ve planned, you generate your enthusiasm for life and are ready to spread it to others. Be known as a motivator. Ask others about their goals and how you can help them. Make people feel a part of a successful team. Look for opportunities to praise and reward.

Bill FitzPatrick is a 5th-degree Black Belt, holds a Master’s Degree in Education and runs the non-profit American Success Institute at: www.mastersuccess.com.

Martial Arts Success Stories

Personal Profile
Martial Arts Has Given Me Morals and Ideals

By Patrick Ritter, Age 15

My name is Patrick Ritter. Martial arts has been a part of my life since the beginning of grade school. While my other hobbies have changed, my martial arts training has been solid and stable. It’s given me a set of morals and ideals on which to base my life. I’ve met some of my best friends through my classes.

I’d have to say almost every aspect of my life has been influenced in some way or another by what I’ve learned. Whether it was perseverance in the face of a challenge, or confidence in approaching new situations, martial arts has played an important role. My fascination with the martial arts started even before I began taking lessons, and has motivated me to pursue a career in history. My life, for as long as I can remember, has revolved around the martial arts; and during my almost ten years of martial arts lessons, I’ve met many people I would consider role models.

Patrick Ritter trains under Nathan Morgan at Burns Taekwondo in Selinsgove, Pennsylvania.

Health Kick: Vitamin B, Is It Complex?

The B vitamins, including B-complex and B-12, are familiar to most people as important to a healthy diet. Thiamin and riboflavin are also B vitamins. This month’s HealthKick will help you understand why you need B vitamins and which foods contain them.

The B vitamins group include B-1 (thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-5 (pantothenic acid), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-12 (cyanocobalamin) and folic acid (or folate). “B-complex” is simply a combination of all the B vitamins. B vitamins are “co-enzymes,” which means they work with enzymes, and are involved in energy production and growth factors. Being “involved with energy production” does not mean that B vitamins “give you energy,” but, rather, that they are involved in chemical reactions. B vitamins are important to proper functioning of the nervous system; muscle tone in the gastrointestinal tract; and the health of your hair, skin, eyes, liver and mouth. Because of their broad involvement in metabolism (chemical reactions), they are important to virtually every part and function of your body.

B vitamins are critical to the overall well-being of your body, so it is important to know which foods that contain B vitamins to include in your diet. For most of the B vitamins, brewer’s yeast (which is a supplement), meats (especially organ meats such as liver and kidney), and whole grains are good sources. Green leafy vegetables provide folic acid. If you are a vegetarian, then you probably should supplement your diet with either brewer’s yeast or at least a B-12 supplement. B12 is only obtained naturally through animal products (meat, fish, dairy products and eggs).

All this information reveals that B vitamins are complex because they encompass a wide variety of vitamins from various sources. Each has more than one name and are included in “B complex.” The best method for ensuring adequate intake is the same as for all nutrients: eat a wide variety of foods, especially whole grains and “whole” vegetables, and take a basic multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, containing no more than 100% of the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance). If you eliminate entire food groups, then you must research further to determine which B vitamins your diet may be lacking, and then compensate for the group you’ve eliminated with either other foods or a supplement.