Gimme, gimme, gimme

It's tough. Coordinating and managing student volunteers is incredibly difficult. I'm not talking about the complaints, tardiness or forgetfulness but the difference of attitude towards service.

Me: What can I give?
Student: What do I get?

I had a student who ended up not participating in a service activity because I grew more and more frustrated. He kept asking me what we were going to eat, what exactly is being served, if we can go get hamburgers, if we can stop before we go there, etc.

I answered his questions as best as I could but in the end, I ignored him. Not the best tactic. I found myself growing angry and resentful. I knew I didn't want to take it out on him, so I stopped talking and waited for him to leave.

Oh the pondering one does after such an occurrence. I really was put in my place when I realized that it is not the students that already volunteer and who's first thoughts are "what can I give?" that I need to be trying to get to serve. Instead, I need to focus on the students like the one who annoyed me. Students like him need experiences like the ones I offer in order to get their feet wet in service and possibly ignite a flame for giving.

How can I expect anyone who doesn't already volunteer to want to if I don't react with patience and understanding? How can I expect anyone to continue to do service in the future if I don't get them (even the pains in the butts) to try it out for the first time?


I can be the bridge or the wall. Though it may not be easy to handle such an opposite view towards service, I need to try my best to intentionally be a bridge.

Dipping my toe into the water...finally

“Heeey, Dad?”

“What do you want?”

(In a rushed voice) “Can I join this one karate class? I got this flyer at school and I think it would be super cool and please? And it would be awesome? And pretty please with a cherry on top?”

(Dad views flyer)

“I’ll have to talk with you mom, but probably.”

This is how I imagine the start of what would become my way of life began: an overly excited seven-year-old coming home from school asking her dad if she could become a ninja, something straight out of the movies.

Over 17 years later and I’m stepping my big toe away from theoretically opening my own place to actually starting a (test) class: eight Sunday mornings introducing basic self-defense and traditional Okinawan karate to potentially just one student.

I can’t help but wonder, “Where is my safety net?”

Where are my fellow instructors: Sensei Steve and Sensei Brandon? Where are my upper-belt students: Patricia, Andrew or Robert?

The realization that to start something new, someone had to decide to try is attacking me like an allergic reaction to peanuts. Yet, within the same reflection, I also know I am ready. In spirit, those who have gone before me are and will always be with me.

 

Sorry it's backwards. From Master Sharon English to my parents:
(You guys are great. I appreciate your support and your friendship. You did a great job with the scorekeeping (and I know it was a lot of work). Jennifer did as superior job. Her positive attitude and willingness to try will help her excel in everything she does. It is a reflection of great parents. Thanks again. Sharon) - March 1999

As the seven-year-old naive child, I had a lot of learning to do, but looking back I can see just how much support I had from others; people believed in me. I hope to be even half the person others were and still are to me.

Wish me patience and understanding,

Jenn