The New Tough
Posted: June 22, 2019
By Master Christopher Rappold
As parents we want the best for our children: do well in school, keep healthy plus have a strong social network of good friends. We also want our children be “tough”. In times past, that meant that young boys needed the courage and skill to fight the bully behind the building after school.
Like with almost everything, the definition of what “tough” means is more complex. Tough now means that we want our children to be able to be tough enough to not follow the crowd, tough enough to hear the criticism and not lash back in anger, tough enough to stand tall against someone who is being picked on and be tough enough to be above having to resort to physical confrontation.
One of my heroes from history is Mahatma Gandhi. The reason he rises to the top in my mind is that he refused to fight, yet stood his ground courageously. Most of the great leaders in history are remembered for winning the war against great odds; he won the war and freed his people by holding true to his position and not giving in to what would have be a very normal and natural reaction.
Installing this kind of toughness quite frankly is a much taller order than teaching someone to punch and kick. It comes from a strong example by parents, a solid peer group that share similar values and positive lifestyle activities that reinforce this vision.
At Personal Best, our character education program does just that. Our students learn how to stay strong amidst arguments; they learn how to recognize good choices; and they are taught to protect themselves and their loved ones, not instigate. I am proud that so many families have chosen Personal Best to play a part in helping their children get “tough”.
If you would like to have your child try our award-winning character based martial arts program that will reinforce family value and teach mental and physical skills to ensure they are safe, please go to the registration page to sign up today. I promise you that our team of highly-skilled martial arts teachers and mentors will make you and your family feel right at home.
