By now, most of you following this blog know that I own my own martial arts school in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition to teaching my students self defense skills, each month during class, we review a certain character and life skill.

Yes, I know what you are thinking!

What does character and life skills have to do with karate?

Everything!

You see, I believe developing a strong sense of character in my students will help them achieve success many years after they have completed their karate training with me.  One of the missions of my dojo is to develop leaders who are smart, passionate, kind and caring.

This month’s life skill is COMPASSION.

We simply define it for our students as “an attitude of caring for someone else.”  I think December is a perfect month to discuss this theme.  After all, what is the true meaning of Christmas but to celebrate the birth of Christ.  I can’t think of a better way than to focus on helping others.

So, we are putting this month’s life skill into action.

One of my senior students is leading a community service project called Randy’s Reindeers.  For the past 4 years, Randy has organized a collection of blankets and toiletry items.  He assemblies a group of students and parents and they go out Christmas Eve and pass the items out to the local homeless in Columbia.

Last year, Samurai Karate Studio put together 150 sets of blankets, socks, cookies, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, candy and water.

Our goal this year is to collect 200.

Like every other city in America, the economy has affected many – who are without jobs, a warm place to sleep or a hot meal to eat.  This is just our way of trying to bring a little bit of Christmas to those forgotten few who wander our streets.

Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year to all of you!