Life Lessons

Manage Your Moments

By Joe Galea

Where had the day gone? Margie was sure that there were more completed boxes somewhere. How could she have worked all day assembling the information packets for the perspective clients and placing them in the appropriate area boxes, and only have four boxes to show for her labors?

Margie checked her watch and was alarmed to see that it was even later than she thought. Again she asked herself where the day had gone. She had to have at least a dozen completed boxes by the day after tomorrow, and if she had worked all day today, and had only done four, she was never going to make it. She could hear the kids coming in through the back door and went to greet them. "Hi, Mom, what did you do today?" The question came from her oldest son, Justin.

"Well, honey, I spent my day getting those packets I told you about, put together."

"Oh, that's good," Justin replied, "Thanks for sewing my shirt, too." Justin had taken his shirt off of the chair where Margie had left it.

"Yeah, Mom," said Susan, her daughter, "Thanks for remembering to pick up my band uniform, too." Margie watched as Susan headed toward the stairs with her uniform. She looked from Susan to the four boxes stacked in the hallway.

Margie began to review her day from its beginning. After the kids had left for school, she had set up the information packets on the dining table. That's when she noticed Justin's shirt on the chair and had stopped to fix it. Then she had worked on the first box of packets, until the phone rang. It had been a friend of Susan's who had offered to pick up Susan's uniform. Margie had told her that she needed milk at the store, anyway, and had headed out for both the cleaners and the store.

After that she had settled down to work on the packets. No wonder only four boxes were done! After adding up the actual time she had spent doing the packets, she would have more than enough time the next day to finish the dozen she needed.

Margie sat down and started to map out her time for the next day. She vowed to herself that she would not let distractions keep her from her goal, just then, Susan came in and asked, "What are you doing, Mom?" Margie replied,

"I'm managing my time."

Questions for the Students

1. At the beginning of the story was Margie being honest with herself about her time management?

2. How could Margie better have done the tasked she completed that day?

3. How do distractions get in the way of us achieving our goals?

Mako's Amazing Discovery

Life Skills Stories

Mako's Amazing Discovery

Mako had taken martial arts lessons for almost a year when he learned his most important lesson. His instructor seemed very confident in everything that he said and did. Mako was always intrigued by his instructors’ enthusiasm. Many times Mako would come to the school feeling sad or depressed but by the end of the lesson he would feel excited for the rest of the day. He realized the change was in himself but didn't know why.

Because of an injury, Mako was unable to take class. He decided instead to go to watch and observe. As class began he was feeling sad. He was ready to leave when his instructor came springing up with a broad smile on his face. His first words were "Hello Mako, how are you today?" "Not so good, I hurt my back, so I won't be able to take class" Mako replied in a soft voice. With a smile on his face and excitement in his voice his instructor replied, "I'm sorry about your back but I am very excited that you came to watch tonight. This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn from a different perspective I think you will be surprised by what you learn this evening."

Mako was a confused by his instructors response but answered with a halfhearted "Yes, Sir." "Mako," his instructor shot back, "I would like to take time after class to talk about what you learn tonight. Would that be OK with you?" "Yes Sir, I could do that." Mako replied.

Mako was amazed as he sat through the class watching his instructor teach. He was a very exciting, enthusiastic instructor and Mako had always felt very good each time his instructor gave him personal attention. But, as he watched tonight, Mako was surprised at the amount of enthusiasm his instructor put into the class. He was energized as he stopped and spoke with every student in the class. Mako also noticed the change that his instructor had on each person in the class. No matter how confused a student looked before the instructor worked with them, they always seemed excited and focused when he was finished. It was as if every person became "charged up" as they went through their class. Mako was very excited by this discovery.

With class over, his instructor invited him into the office. "Mako, what did you think about class tonight?" "It was Great!" Mako exclaimed. "Did you learn anything new?" "Yes." Mako replied, "Besides learning to do my techniques better, I learned about the power of being enthusiastic. I watched everyone's attitude and outlook just by being excited and enthusiastic. This is a very powerful lesson that I can use every day of my life."

"Congratulations Mako, you've learned a wonderful lesson today."

Questions for the Students 1. What made all of the students in class feel so excited? 2. What affect did the instructors’ enthusiasm have on the students? 3. What lesson did Mako learn?

Make Every Moment Count

"Make Every Moment Count"

A martial arts student had the opportunity to study with one of the great martial arts masters. He was so excited and went to the master's school filled with high hopes and great expectations. After some time at the school, he became frustrated that his daily chores took up so much of his time. He felt that he was missing many opportunities to improve his martial arts skills. He spent his time between classes and after evening meals thinking over his feelings and sharing them with his fellow students.

One day, the great master asked his student to walk along a path with him to talk about their craft. The student asked many questions and the master shared many insights filled with wisdom. The master could tell that the student seemed frustrated by something, so he asked what was bothering him.

The student replied, "Master, I have been with you for a long time now. I have studied your ways and I have worked hard, yet I have not reached my goal of being a black belt. I feel it is because I have missed many opportunities to work because of the other tasks that are required of me." As the student spoke, he noticed that the master was counting slowly under his breath. When he stopped speaking the master said the number forty-five out loud, and smiled at the student. "Forty-five, what, master?" The student asked.

"Forty-five moments of opportunity you missed to work toward your goal while you were complaining about your work. Each and every moment you waste, is wasted by your choosing. Make every moment count toward your goal."

The master began to walk down the path toward the school. The student did not hesitate for even a moment to follow him.

Questions for the Students l. How can you make every moment of your day count? 2. How much of your time is wasted during one day? 3. What have you accomplished today that will bring you closer to your goal?