MAY 2026 Newsletter
Illuminate | Focus On
April showers bring May flowers — and not only with growing plants, but it may be applied to the aspects of our lives. We all need to go through tough times to help us grow stronger so we may achieve our goals. While practicing your martial arts lessons, your muscles might ache the next day, or your hand will hurt from breaking boards, but you are making your body stronger. You will shine at the end of your competition! Here are some ways to keep illuminated during those rainy days so you can still shine through.
✨ Simplify
Always keep things simple in your mind by concentrating on one thing at a time. While at work or school, focus on what you are doing there; then while practicing your martial arts lessons, think only about your moves and techniques.
🔍 Clarify
By leaving your work at work, you will see your martial arts skills improve and your mind will seem to cleanse itself. Your stress level at work or school may even be reduced. This idea applies to your family situation or any other crafts you may have.
🌞 Think positively
Always approach your obstacles with a positive mind. If you want things to go your way and for your situation to turn out well, chances are it will. It is that simple.
⚖️ Be honest
This is a must! Always be honest with yourself above everything. If you cheat at something, whether it be a game, sparring, or on a test, you are only cheating yourself out of being the best possible. Push yourself to do better than you ever thought you could. Only then will you be successful.
Always remember, if you think you are trying hard and obstacles keep popping up, keep trying with a good attitude. You will illuminate and radiate a shine of hope on others that is contagious. That’s what’s so wonderful about maintaining optimism when things get tough. Your goals should be considered a journey, rather than a destination. The fun of reaching your destination is the journey! Once that destination is reached, reach for another one! Keep pushing yourself and never give up. In the long run, you will be the one glowing and standing out in the crowd!
Master Hinsoo’s Wise Anticipation
Master Hinsoo was a great warrior who had fought for the Great Empire of the King because he was a great swordsman and fighter. Age had made his body worn and it was showing through his gray hair and tired eyes. One late afternoon, Master Hinsoo was sitting in his home with his grandchildren teaching them the philosophies of learning and of life, his daughter ran in and told them to run and hide!
“Why, my daughter? What is the trouble?” Master Hinsoo immediately wanted to know. “It’s Honjiro and his band of outlaws riding upon us! Hurry and take the children and hide,” his daughter exclaimed! Master Hinsoo went and took the children to a safe place but he went and got his kusarigama, a hand held sickle that has a short sword hafted onto a hardwood handle with a chain that dangles from the other end.
The outlaws arrived and Master Hinsoo remained in the barn waiting for the men in the dark. He stood waiting with anticipation for Honjiro to arrive.
“Old man, would you like to die tonight?” Honjiro asked him.
“I am not going to die tonight, you are.” Master Hinsoo replied.
Honjiro just laughed. Then his small band of outlaws consisting of 4 others began to attack Master Hinsoo. Master Hinsoo took his kusarigama and stabbed the first one and with the other end of the handle hit the other assailant with the chain knocking him out. The other two outlaws then were upon Master Hinsoo. Master Hinsoo turned and ducked down and tripped the attacker and sliced him with the blade and turned and back-punched the other with the small handle, then turned his wrist for the quick slicing of the blade. Master Hinsoo then stood up completely to face Honjiro.
“So, old man, even in the dark, you fight like a warrior. But you cannot fight me!” Honjiro yelled. Honjiro began running and screaming with his sword raised over his head to kill Master Hinsoo. Anticipating this action, especially with the sounds and movements of Honjiro in the darkness, Master Hinsoo was able to pinpoint the exact moment and place of Honjiro. At the precise moment, Master Hinsoo lowered himself below the blade of Honjiro and immersed his kusarigama blade right into Honjiro. Honjiro stopped immediately and looked at Master Hinsoo unbelievably.
Master Hinsoo told the outlaw, “You should never try to take what is not yours. To have something, you must always earn it, with hard work and persistence.”
How Much Physical Activity is Needed?
Physical activity is important for everyone, but how much you need depends on your age.
🧑 ADULTS (18 to 64 years)
Adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a moderate level OR 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a vigorous level. Being active 5 or more hours each week can provide even more health benefits. Spreading aerobic activity out over at least 3 days a week is best. Also, each activity should be done for at least 10 minutes at a time. Adults should also do strengthening activities, like push-ups, sit-ups and lifting weights, at least 2 days a week.
🧒 CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (6-17 years)
Children and adolescents should do 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day. Most of the 60 minutes should be either moderate- or vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity, and should include vigorous-intensity physical activity at least 3 days a week. As part of their daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening activities, like climbing, at least 3 days a week and bone-strengthening activities, like jumping, at least 3 days a week. Physical activities for children should be developmentally-appropriate, fun, and offer variety.
- Physical activity is generally safe for everyone.
- The health benefits you gain from being active are far greater than the chances of getting hurt.
- If you haven’t been active in a while, start slowly and build up.
- Learn about the types and amounts of activity that are right for you.
- Choose activities that are appropriate for your fitness level.
- Build up the time you spend before switching to activities that take more effort.
- Use the right safety gear and sports equipment.
- Choose a safe place to do your activity.
- See a health care provider if you have a health problem.
The Two Choices We Face
Each of us has two distinct choices to make about what we will do with our lives. The first choice we can make is to be less than we have the capacity to be. To earn less. To have less. To read less and think less. To try less and discipline ourselves less. These are the choices that lead to an empty life. These are the choices that, once made, lead to a life of constant apprehension instead of a life of wondrous anticipation.
And the second choice? To do it all! To become all that we can possibly be. To read every book that we possibly can. To earn as much as we possibly can. To give and share as much as we possibly can. To strive and produce and accomplish as much as we possibly can. All of us have the choice.
To do or not to do. To be or not to be. To be all or to be less or to be nothing at all. Like the tree, it would be a worthy challenge for us all to stretch upward and outward to the full measure of our capabilities. Why not do all that we can, every moment that we can, the best that we can, for as long as we can?
Our ultimate life objective should be to create as much as our talent and ability and desire will permit. To settle for doing less than we could do is to fail in this worthiest of undertakings.
Results are the best measurement of human progress. Not conversation. Not explanation. Not justification. Results! And if our results are less than our potential suggests that they should be, then we must strive to become more today than we were the day before. The greatest rewards are always reserved for those who bring great value to themselves and the world around them as a result of who and what they have become.
Jim Rohn
Empowering martial artists on and off the mat.