The Final Call

Exercise #2:
Over the course of the semester, I have learned how far a simple hello proceeded by an inquiry, can go.


After reading my blog, I have mixed emotions. I am amazed at many of the things I did and the timely fashion in which I completed most of them. I did a lot in just a few weeks. I am a tad disappointed because I feel as though I got lazy around Christmas break and could have pushed myself a little more.

Exercise #3

This semester, I have really pushed myself to do my very best. I have managed my time much better than I have in past years and also grown as a student. Leadership for Change has open my eyes to a myriad of possibilities and opportunities that are right before us if we just take the time to seek. Over the duration of the course, I both heard and witnessed people's dreams and aspirations unfolding. It didn't take much for this to happen yet, change didn't come on its own. We had to be active learners, workers, etc.

For the first time, I have been asked, "What is your dream? Touchstone? Target?"...instead of the usual, "What do you want to be when you grow up? Where do you want to work?" I am a firm believer that the way we both say and phrase things, has a major affect on the way we choose to interpret things. Too often, we are driven by economics and social status rather than how we feel in the depths of our heart and soul.

The three things I liked best about Leadership for Change were the blogs and being able to see my growth and steps toward my goal, the movies (all of them were AWESOME and very INSPIRATIONAL), and how engaging Dr. Rock is when it comes to her students. I also enjoyed the personal interactions with classmates and hearing and understanding their dreams as well as my own.

Aside from the Kill Your TV portion of the course, I cannot think of anything I disliked.

All in all, I think the course was amazing! If I could change one thing, it would probably be to monitor progress a little more in regards to the weekly duty report; possibly showing some proof of accomplishing the task. In closing, I just want to say good luck and blessings to all of my classmates and their future endeavors and thank you Dr. Rock for being such a positive influence in my life.

First Step:

My first step this week is to sell more tickets to my tournament on the 24th of May. Also, I want to spend at least 20 minutes each day to practice. I also want to be 5-7 lbs lighter by the time of my competition. I want to decrease my BMI and increase muscle.

Sunday Meeting:

During my Sunday Meeting, I tried to get things a little more in order for myself to assist with organization and time management. I started by cleaning out my folders and cleaning my room. When things around me are cluttered, my life is cluttered. I made a list of how I could go about making things less hectic for myself:

1. what do I want to do for this week?
2. did I complete what I wanted to get done last week? If so, why or why not?
3. make sure I go about getting things done in a logical and strategic manner. Don't just say I will do something to get credit for getting my assignment done. Try to gear it toward my goal.


Business Meeting:

I actually wasn't able to hold my business meeting this week because my buddy stood me up. I didn't want to choose someone else, because I am a private person (believe it or not) and it was hard enough for me to open up and share things with this person.

"HIIIIII YAAAAHHHH!!!"

   Last week, I took a step toward my goal.  I was approached by a sorority on campus (of which a lot of my friends are members) to lead a self-defense seminar for young women.  It was a major success.  My mother and brother (also martial artists) supported me to the fullest and gave 100% effort while assisting me with the class.  My weekly goal was to enlighten at least one individual about the martial arts and make them a tad more comfortable while walking the streets in today's society.  By the simple fact that I received raved reviews and a number of women who were interested in furthering their martial arts training, I would venture to say that I accomplished the task at hand.  I received countless number of text messages after the event, telling me how great I had done.  People seemed to really enjoy the experience and were very receptive to trying new things.  In fact, even I didn't go to sleep until 3 that morning because I was on  natural "high" from how awesome it was.

   But, it wasn't like this in the beginning.  Surprisingly, I was shaking in my boots with stage fright.  I teach all the time, but this time was different.  For the first time in a long time, I was nervous about teaching.  I feared that the women would not like nor appreciate what was being given.  I feared they would laugh when they saw things foreign to them.  I really wanted to impress these women, and I began to panic.  I started sweating and my voice started to shake when I spoke.  My mind was scrambling and I was out of sorts.  Although I teach young children and some adults three times a week during the school year and everyday over the summer, there are personal reasons as to why this occasion in particular was so different.  

   However, I was eventually able to overcome this fear.  I began to suppress all of the negative things I was thinking about and replaced them with the positive thoughts of endless possibilities and opportunities that could come from the experience.  I said to myself that if I just grabbed the attention of one person, my job was done.  All in all, the event was not perfect, but no one else could have done a better job if I am allowed to toot my own horn (TOOT!!! TOOT!!!)

IT WAS AMAZING!!!