Children have boundless energy.  At a tender age of 5 or 6 years old, they are still learning about themselves and the world they live in.  They are forming their personalities which will be an integral part of who they are for the rest of their lives. 

As a father, I want the best for my children.  This does not mean that I want them to be immersed in a lifestyle of luxuries and for them to have anything that their hearts’ desire.  This is an external and materialistic view of life.  “The best”, for me, has to do with equipping them with all the skills and an attitude which will allow them to become fully functional, compassionate, and independent adults. 

The good old battle of the Martial Arts!  Which Martial Art is the best?  This is a natural question for someone who is new to the world of Martial Arts.  I believe that the person is actually asking, “Which Martial Art will endow me with the most effective fighting abilities?”.  For some reason, people believe in the notion that one Martial Art is superior to another.  I’d like to shed some light on this myth and help to reinforce the values of individual effort, hard-work and dedication.

I study a Japanese Martial Art that focuses primarily on striking.  I recently sparred with an experienced peer who was much larger and stronger than me.  Contending with a stronger and larger opponent is always difficult, but there were some great insights and learnings that I took away from the bout.  So much so, that I am looking forward to sparring with my colleague once again.

The 8^th of March is International Women’s Day.  This is a day where women are recognised for their social, economic, cultural, and political contributions.  The role of women in our society is one of the most important, yet it seems to be one that we all take for granted.  It must be stated that women are just as capable as men and should be afforded the same kind of opportunities to grow and excel in whatever fields they desire.