Mistakes and Forgiving

Always made me wonder why leaders of country’s, large corporations, and any other management positions are all taught; do not admit you made a mistake. I guess the corporation’s perspective is that if you made a mistake and admit it; you must not be a leader. So what they are saying you can make a mistake but don’t admit it –So if you can’t admit you made a mistake, I guess you didn’t make a mistake. Hmm--- didn’t know any body that didn’t make a mistake! I guess what goes along with that and is the cure all, is you have to be able to forgive yourself and forgive others. For forgiving is what will get you to the next level. Holding on to the thought you made a mistake or someone has done you wrong, is NOT a part of growing, forgiving is.
Sifu Hayes http://silentriverkungfu.com
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada

Words of Hurt

What causes people to act the way they do by spewing out words of hurt. With out thinking, whom they will infect, or what harm it will cause to some one else. Most of which is done on impulse, or better yet called a knee jerk reaction. Generally, it’s about feeling powerful, getting attention or someone to feel sorry for them. Now after the bad act is set in motion, and realizing you were wrong, next comes thinking how are you going to get out of this situation, with out losing face! Ah- here comes another knee jerk reaction. Do I tell a lie? Blame it on some one else? Some other person caused me to do that? It’s not my fault! The list goes on and on about not taking responsibility for your own actions. Just take the time to think, before speaking.
Sifu Hayes http://silentriverkungfu.com
Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada

The (ox) New Year

Things are back to normal again after a wedding and the Chinese New Year Black Belt promotions Ceremony. The New Years Banquet was a great success especially with all of the students taking care of their volunteered jobs setting up tables, chairs. Laying out the place settings, serving trays, making coffee and juice, for two hundred forty people then clearing tables after the superb meal, supplied by our local restaurant. The welcoming committee done a great job of making people feel comfortable and showing them to their tables. Thanks for the videos presentations and speakers, they gave us insight into how the money was being distributed to the charities, chosen by the Silent River Benevolent Foundation. The Lion Dance Team, Changing of the Guard was the theme this year. They done such a roaring job most people didn’t know the dancers changed in the Lion. Demonstrations that were choreographed and preformed gave the audience laughter, watching the cute five year olds, to beauty in the musical demos. Congratulations to the excellent video and forms demo given by the newly promoted Black Belts. Thanks to Tom Callos for the video from Hawaii. The night ended with cameras flashing on all students for group pictures.
Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada

Daughters Married

Wedding was a native Indian ceremony. An Indian lady conducted the ceremony. First she had the forty people, immediate family and friends, stand in a circle, The Bridesmaid and Groomsman closed the circle. Asking every one to bring positive energy into the room by saying ohm and ridding the room of negative energy. Kristy and myself walked into the circle between the Bridesmaid and Groomsman and the circle was closed again. We stood at the East facing the Groom; the three of us were cleansed by sage smoke and feather. I gave Kristy’s hand to the Groom and announced what I expected of the Groom for her. Then the Bride, Groom proceeded to the South, while a Flute was playing, their Mothers stood at the South, reminding them not to forget where they came from, the mothers gave the Bride and Groom a rock each to put into a container, which Kristy’s Grandfather had made, the rock was chosen to represent Mother Earth. Bride and Groom walked to the West, flute was playing. The West represented fire; candles were lit, and fire place meaning the eternal flame for one another. The Bride, Groom now walked to the North, flute playing, pouring of water represented, life must keep moving forward to keep from getting stale. After the water was poured into a goblet, Kristy’s Grandfather also made. Their wedding rings were placed on each other’s fingers. They were wrapped in a blanket meaning becoming one, made by Kim (Brides sister). Bride, Groom then walked around the circle being congratulated by everyone. Then I blessed them, everyone shed a tear even myself. Then circle opened between the Bridesmaid, Groomsman. The married couple walked out followed by the circle of people walking around the room in single file. The last ones out of the room were the Bridesmaid and Groomsman. Everyone enjoyed the ceremony. A Fondue of Bison, prawns and lots of veggies was held for the reception. Speeches were held after the reception. Dance followed. Everyone had a great time.
Sifu Max Hayes Stony Plain Alberta Canada, www.silentriverkungfu.com