Parents, imagine how many times you’ve reminded your kid to “Be respectful.” I know that I heard that a lot when I was a kid.
Respect is one of the core principles we teach at Determined Martial Arts. But what does it really mean? Respect can be simply summed up in the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. This includes treating ourselves the way we want to be treated.
We respect others by treating them with kindness and speaking words that build others up, instead of tearing them down. We make strong eye contact. We listen before we speak. Kids can respect teachers & parents by being first-time listeners. Parents & teachers can respect kids by encouraging them. We can disagree politely with those who have a different viewpoint.
We must respect ourselves, as well. Sometimes, we are very respectful towards others, but forget to take care of our own needs. Renowned psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson suggests, “Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.” We respect our bodies by getting sufficient sleep, eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, and not over-indulging. We respect our minds by learning something new everyday, developing the habit of reading, and placing limits on social media.
At Determined Martial Arts, respect is at the heart of what we teach. In every thought, word, and action, we strive to encourage & inspire our students to be respectful people on & off the mats.