Did you know that our attitude is contagious?
Every time that I teach this in my karate class the kids start to think of their attitude as being like germs. They think it’s contagious the same way a common cold is. And when you stop to think about it they are right. Germs are spread through contact and getting close to people.
How we think, act, and the things we say to others can spread to them and affect their attitude. We can spread a good and positive attitude or a bad and negative attitude simply by how we behave around others.
We as martial artists have a responsibility to do our best to spread a positive attitude. To do and say things that will help others. When we go to open the door for someone, or to give your seat on the bus to an elderly person, or to help your brother or sister with their chores. All these things are known as acts of kindness, and they can help to spread your good and positive attitude
We can do this by performing random acts of kindness for no other reason than to help someone.
We can spread a good and positive attitude by using good, positive and motivational words and phrases when speaking to others and to have a positive outlook when bad things happen around us. We can use understanding with the misfortunes that others may have. And finally, we can simply use a smile when we greet other people.
Students will sometimes say that it is far too hard to change their attitude. But if things are done in small steps and if we start with one or two things those things become habits. It means that we can then do them without thinking
These are simple ways that we can spread a positive attitude and be a role-model to the people we meet. As martial artists, this is our responsibility.