Dec 8, 2022

Written By Evan Bloom

By Hanshi Rande Lawrence

Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash

 When I start to teach a karate class I always begin with the question: “Karate begins with?” And my students, irrespective of their age or belt level, answer with the words “courtesy and respect.”

These two words are very interesting because, as far as I am concerned, they are the cornerstones of our lives, particularly from a values perspective.

Courtesy and respect are not one dimensional and our lives are not one dimensional either. We have to have courtesy and respect for ourselves, for our fellow human being – even if they are an adversary, for mother nature and for life itself. Some may say that this is an esoteric approach. I would disagree.

In life we fight many battles. There is an ongoing internal battle in every man and woman between good and evil thoughts and actions. There is the battle that people have with each other. It can be overcoming relationship or business issues, trying to get along with a colleague at work or having to face a school bully. And there are the horrible battles that people face when life throws them curveballs that they did not expect – the loss of a parent, sibling, or child, losing one’s job, business and home.

Some may say that it is impossible to have courtesy and respect when you are facing a critical event. I am not saying to have courtesy and respect and let whatever life has thrown at you walk all over you. However, if you do not have courtesy and respect for the situation that you are in, you will never triumph.

Having courtesy and respect while in an adverse situation will steady your heart and quiet your mind and allow you to think things through logically without panicking. It will also stop you from overthinking and overanalyzing your situation. Courtesy and respect will allow you to identify a plan of action and implement it.

Panic is never an option. Courtesy and respect will help you find a constructive way to deal with your situation.

Evan Bloom