Karate Mama!

I started taking karate lessons!

I know... I must be crazy, but I had to be there with my kids almost every day anyway.  And how better to embarrass them??

Actually, I'm in the same class with my 12 year old and it's really seemed to help our relationship.  We get to beat up on each other :)

It does really give us a lot in common.  And since my kids have been taking karate much longer than I have, they enjoy having a higher degree belt than Mom.

I've learned a LOT since I started taking the karate lessons.  The first lesson I learned is that it's a LOT of hard work!!  Especially for an old woman!  Ok, so I'm not THAT old.  I'm 43.  I'll be almost 50 when I get my black belt - and I WILL get it!

Another lesson I learned is that I don't bend the same way I used to bend!  Some of those moves may LOOK easy, but they aren't!  When they say 'give me a kick over your head', I just laugh.  Thank goodness they are forgiving when you are a white belt!

I've really enjoyed the self-defense parts of the lessons.  I hope I NEVER have to use it, but it's nice to know just in case I do need it some day.  I just hope I can think that fast and make the moves count if I do need it!

One of the most important lessons I've learned that I've carried over to other parts of my life is about where to aim my kicks and punches.

I have AWESOME teachers in my classes!  And they've taught me that I don't need to aim at my opponent's body part, but I need to aim BEHIND my opponent's body part.

For instance, if I am punching at his/her face, I really aim at the back of their head.  Why?  Because I'll have more power in my punch.  If I aim at their face, I will stop when I get to their face.  If I aim at the back of their head, I won't stop and I will follow through with much more power.

Wow!  That turned on lots of light bulbs in my head!  That lesson is so important in ALL of life!

When I aim at something, I should actually shoot for something beyond my initial goal.  Then I will have a much better chance at reaching my initial goal.  And I will have more power during my execution.

It really gave me the motivation to aim higher, stretch my goals, and shoot for more.

I want all there is to get out of life.  I want that ABUNDANT life that Jesus came to give me... and you. 

Don't you want it??

Then aim HIGH!

Aim beyond your target.

And follow through!