Lessons from a Little Ninja

“Always be yourself, unless you can be a ninja, then always be a ninja.” ~unknown

As I was preparing to write this week’s blog post, I was feeling a bit stuck for an idea. So, I did what I sometimes do when stuck, and that is read old articles I’ve written in order to find a subject for inspiration. (I could honestly fill a book with all I’ve written in the last 18+ years of delivering weekly articles/blog posts to you.) In addition to ideas for topics, sometimes it’s just fun to read through them again because many include stories of what was going on in my life at the time. Ummm… yes, I realize this is possibly border lining on procrastination because I’m stuck. But that’s not the point of today’s post. LOL - Instead, what I want to tell you about is a post I wrote clear back in 2009. (And yes, this one involved a personal example.)

See, since it’s October and Halloween is just around the corner, I was thinking about writing something on the topic of fear. But I couldn’t quite put my finger on exactly what I wanted to write about. So, I started my search for inspiration. And when I opened a post I wrote in 2009, it brought back such a sweet memory that I decided rather than writing something new on the topic of fear, I wanted you to receive this. So, here it is, just as I wrote it back then. (Please don’t judge the bad writing – just receive the message.)

Lessons from a Little Ninja

I try to be very consciously aware about what I teach and model to my children.  I want them to grow up to be strong confident women.  And I want to encourage them to not let their fears get in the way of accomplishing their dreams.  That's a tough one!  I was very proud of my oldest daughter the other day though.  We were driving home after Tae Kwan Do class and her and her little friend were in the back seat talking about class.  Apparently in class that day, the instructor paired them up with someone they had to fight.  So my daughter (all 42 lbs. of her) fought some boy who was twice as big.  She said she was scared but she did it anyway.  The other little girl (who happens to outweigh my daughter by 30 lbs.) said she cried and stepped out of the circle.  She didn't fight and then when I asked her why, she started making excuses about how she was tired and didn't get enough sleep, etc.  So after we dropped her off, I talked to my daughter about how proud I was that she had experienced fear but stepped through it and did it anyway.  Then we talked about her friend who had let her fear hold her back and then made excuses for why she didn't do it.  And we talked about how that can be a pattern in life.  Often times people let their fear stop them from moving forward in their lives and then make excuses for why they don't take action.  It was a really good lesson.  And I am so proud of my shy, quiet little angel.  It’s something that I will remember, the next time I’m faced with stepping into my fear and going for it anyway.     

Okay so now what are the lessons from this little Ninja (who’s now in college by the way)?

1. No matter your size (which for most of us adults is more about appearing small when we are starting out or doing something new) you will grow when you take action.
2. You are stronger than you know and you can do more than you realize, if you are willing to face your fears and step up to the challenge.
3. Fear can stop you from moving forward if you let it. Please don’t let it. And for sure, don’t let excuses hold you back from living to your full potential.

I know this story was simple and cute, but I’d love to hear from you. What is your lesson from this little ninja?

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