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Sometimes you have those moments that remind you that even when you don't necessarily realize it, there are others watching you, listening to you, and taking note of things you do or say.
Several years ago, I was talking with a martial artist friend who was working towards their black belt test. The topic came up about what it means to be a black belt and about some of the lesser-known personal challenges that many people encounter along that road. This person was not a student of mine, just a friend who was also into martial arts.
Today I heard from them, and they told me that our conversation from that day had stuck with them through the years.
Fast-forward to today. It seems that they have a good friend who runs a nearby school where a young student is preparing for their black belt test and is experiencing some of those challenges. My friend, now a black belt themselves, shared with the student what I had said years ago.
For me, this wasn't some Formal Teaching Moment(TM) at a class or seminar, or even a one-on-one session with a student. This was me chatting with a friend. But for them, something I said resonated inside and stuck with them.
I am EXTREMELY pleased that what I said helped my friend, and incredibly proud that it made such an impression on them. But for them to pass it along to help someone else? That's some next-level stuff.
Most of all, it drives home the need to be sure that I always walk my talk. I won't always be right. I won't always have helpful things to say. But I hope I can always come from a place of sincerity and honesty, and I figure I can't go too far wrong like that.
Several years ago, I was talking with a martial artist friend who was working towards their black belt test. The topic came up about what it means to be a black belt and about some of the lesser-known personal challenges that many people encounter along that road. This person was not a student of mine, just a friend who was also into martial arts.
Today I heard from them, and they told me that our conversation from that day had stuck with them through the years.
Fast-forward to today. It seems that they have a good friend who runs a nearby school where a young student is preparing for their black belt test and is experiencing some of those challenges. My friend, now a black belt themselves, shared with the student what I had said years ago.
For me, this wasn't some Formal Teaching Moment(TM) at a class or seminar, or even a one-on-one session with a student. This was me chatting with a friend. But for them, something I said resonated inside and stuck with them.
I am EXTREMELY pleased that what I said helped my friend, and incredibly proud that it made such an impression on them. But for them to pass it along to help someone else? That's some next-level stuff.
Most of all, it drives home the need to be sure that I always walk my talk. I won't always be right. I won't always have helpful things to say. But I hope I can always come from a place of sincerity and honesty, and I figure I can't go too far wrong like that.
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I've had a couple come back to me, which made me feel quite good. Interestingly, both involving my sister's kids! Well, in one case, her step-kid. He was a rascal, very troublesome young kid. His dad was a drinker and at least a spouse abuser - as far as I know he wasn't a child abuser. I ran into him at my middle niece's wedding, and he has an excellent job and told me that a lot of the time and talking to him and example that I set really set him on a good path for his life! Made me feel quite heartened.
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