Daily Wisdom Life Skills

As our country is going thru a historical moment toward a positive change, every one of
us shall embrace a better world by constant improvement of ourselves. It takes life
skills to do that.

No one is born with perfect skills in how to live a good life, just as no one has perfect
Martial Art skill starting out. But if you are using more correct than incorrect Life
Skills, then you will experience more flow, harmony, and less struggle and conflict in
your life.

The study and practice of Martial Arts, is a path of learning and mastering Life Skills,
which most often are not taught in standard educational settings.

The following are some of the Life Skills which are essential to your success, in Martial
Arts and in life! The effort you put into developing these qualities will enhance the
rest of your life, when you learn and practice them in Martial Arts.

#1 Attitude! Mindset

Success in Martial Arts requires a proper mindset. Mindset is attitude. Attitude can make
or break a company, a church, a home or an individual. We have a choice each day
regarding the attitude we embrace. You can choose to be positive or negative about
everything. Your job, your training, your finances! Creating a positive attitude is not
an accident and not something that magically happens to you. It takes learning and
disciplined practice, just like Martial Arts.

If you find yourself complaining about having a bad day -- or a bad life! -- the first
thing to do is to check your attitude. What are you thinking, what are you feeling, and
what actions have you taken? Second, find a partner or guide to help you develop a
positive attitude. This could be your Martial Arts teacher, or any person with
experience who can teach by example.

#2 Make the Right Choices! Right Intention

We make lots of choices each day. Ask yourself -- are your choices based on selfish ego,
arrogance, or simply on how you feel at the moment?

Do you choose to spend an hour watching TV, or will you read a great book, attend a
workout, or spend time with loved ones? Do you spend money that you do not have,
remodeling a home or business when the mortgage is behind? Do you spend time on another
leisure activity -- or on a self-improvement program whose benefit will last you a
lifetime?

In our programs at Meng?s Martial Arts, we teach the mental skills necessary for a
healthy and productive life. Skills like willpower, reason and logic, which become
stronger as you put them to use.

I have many intelligent students who are very good at the Mental Skills. But remember,
good choices must also involve the heart. Choices must be made with the right Intention.
Right Intent comes from the heart.

A good question to ask yourself, before each decision is: ?What will be the impact of
this choice -- three weeks, three months, three years from now? Will it create more
negativity, hardship, or conflict? Or will it bring positive energy??

#3 Developing the Right Relationships! Right Connection

With Yourself.
A key skill in Martial Arts is knowing your place and time, and respecting everything
including yourself. Without that, you cannot have a proper relationship, and Martial
Arts is all about relationships. We call that ?bridging.?

With a Partner.
Have people in your life who are committed to your success. This is also essential to
fulfilling your greatest potential!

Choose to be around people who:

* Support your dreams.
*Have the knowledge and experience to guide and mentor you through tough decisions.
* Show you areas where you may have a blind spot, tunnel vision, or distorted
action/technique.
* Empower you to keep improving.

As the Master Instructor of Meng?s Martial Arts, I am pleased to see my students
developing their Life Skills. That is my first and foremost interest and concern, even
above their business skills or Martial Arts skills. There is no business or martial art
skill without people skill. We study Martial Arts to become better human beings.

Master Meng