Target Body Parts

My Blue Belt Test Report

I will observe the principles of Taekwondo                                                                                                               By: Merry Haymond

The five (Tenets) or principles of Taekwondo are:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.

Anyone that can live their life by following ALL of these principles will find themselves a fairly balanced person.  Each principal compliments and helps control the others.  For example, a person may desire to have a new bike.   There are many ways to go about getting that bike.  One way is working hard to earn the money.   Another way is to steal it.  By stealing the bike we may show Perseverance and an Indomitable Spirit but we are not showing Integrity or Self control.  By working to earn the money to buy the bike we show Self Control by waiting until we have earned enough money. Perseverance by continuing to work day after day. We also show Integrity because we are choosing to pay for the bike honestly.   You can’t go too far wrong if you are truly trying to live by each principal of Taekwondo.

Some people may find that some of the principles come more naturally then others.  I feel confident in most of these principles; in some I need a lot of work.   That is the beauty of this mortal life, it is the time to learn and have experiences, to make mistakes and correct them.  This is the time to become a better person then I was before.   I am grateful that even though I am not a perfect person, and I struggle with things in my life, I know that God is a merciful and loving God.  He knows me personally.  He sent me here to refine and improve myself, not to suffer and be miserable.

We don’t have to wander this life not knowing who we are or where we’re going. We have a road map and instructions.  It is US that choose to take a different route and that’s where we hit our dead ends and pot holes.  Dead ends and pot holes are not necessarily bad things unless you choose not to learn from them.  We have to face road blocks, hills, flat tires and broken wind shields in life.  We would never become better without challenges to help perfect us.  I’m grateful that with those challenges I have instructions on how to face them. 

I often find myself wanting to run before I even know how to crawl.  I want to do things that are beyond my capabilities… at the time.  I must learn to crawl so that I can understand and have the ability to walk.  I must learn to walk and gain the wisdom and strength to run.  Then one day I will run, continuing in knowledge and faith, and find I have wings to fly! 

I know I need to learn line upon line, precept upon precept.  I need to learn the basic principles in life and once I have learned those I can expand on them until I am a master of each one.  We cannot give up on things that feel tiresome, too hard, or inconvenient. I found this to be true with religious beliefs, parenting, schooling and even Taekwondo.  Here is how the principals of Taekwondo helped me stay focused.  Courtesy helped me stay committed to my Instructors. Integrity helped me be honest with myself for why I wanted to quit. Perseverance helped me keep going even though I was physically and mentally tired!  Self Control is something I hoped would become a strength as I continued in Taekwondo.  Indomitable Spirit… I will have my ups and downs, but I have an Indomitable Spirit! 

Christmas Mornign Breakfast

I want so badly to create memorable, meaningful traditions for our family.  I try different things but nothing ever seems to stick.   I think traditions are important.  It gives a family personality and character.   I remember looking forward to our family traditions... the nut in the pudding on Christmas eve (My children love this tradition), opening pajamas on Christmas eve, singing Christmas carols, and such.  I need to find meaningful traditions that inspires happiness, joy, excitement, love for the holidays and throughout the year. 
Christmas Morning Breakfast is one of those things that I can't leave at cereal.  I want something more then that.  Let's see if I find it this year.  Try this recipe.

Indomitable Spirit

(When we test for our next belt level we are required to write a report.  This time it was about having an Indomitable Spirit.  This is what I wrote.)

My Parents like to tell me a story about when I was getting ready to go to kindergarten.   I needed to get caught up on my immunizations shots.    I have always been terrified of needles, and put up quite a fight when faced with them.  I  I don’t know what it was that triggered the desire to have courage, but I told my Mother that I was not going to cry when I got my shots.  I was going to be brave.  (I do remember making that decision and telling my Mother)  I did cry a little when I got them (I was terrified!), but my Mother said she was proud of how hard I tried to be brave and that it truly impressed her.
 Sense that time I have tried to be brave when it came to things that scared me.  If you think about it, being courageous and brave are some of the building blocks of having an Indomitable Spirit.  As I have gotten older, I have become aware of anxieties and fears that threaten to drown me. There are many things that overwhelm me and some things even feel incapacitating.  As a Mother, I fear for the well being of my children and the responsibility to teach them all they need to know.   I want them to be happy, good and successful in life.   I could never live with myself if I fail them.   A few years ago these things were beginning to crush me, but there is something inside me that refuses to be crushed.  I don’t want to lose the fight.  I don’t want to cower in fear.  I don’t want to drown in anxiety and self doubt.  I have been blessed with determination, but it wasn’t enough to keep my Spirit strong.  It’s like going to battle with only a shield.
 For a long time I tried to get through the days on my own. I would get up each day and go through the motions, I could function but it was a miserable existence.  I didn't like myself and I didn't like how I was treating my friends and family.  I didn't want to do anything.  It wasn’t until I started to read my scriptures and pray with sincerity that I realized what was missing.   I was missing faith. I needed to have faith in my Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the presence of Faith.  I never truly put my full trust in him. 
I have been slow to realize that my Heavenly Father knows me as an individual, and he loves me very much.  I have an Indomitable Spirit because I know I can rely on him no matter what.   We were sent to earth to experience trials and be tested.  Our attitude towards difficulties is what makes life joyful or miserable.   It is our choice to find the good in life.  The outcome of this life has already been determined.  The Lord’s side will win.  No question about it.   I know what side I want to be on, and it calms my fears and anxieties to know that if I do my very best, it is expectable to the Lord.   It’s not easy.   There are times I have to force myself to pray, read my scripture, and even go to church.  But I know how good I feel when I do those things.  I want to be able to call upon the Lord for promised blessings, guidance and peace.  Knowing I am doing my best.
With these new understandings my life hasn’t changed much.  I still have anxieties and fears.  What has changed is that I no longer try to get through life on my own strength.  I have turned to the Lord to renew my strength and he has made me able to carry my load.   I once was afraid of the trials that would come my way.  Now I understand that they are for my good, and that I will have the strength to face them and rise above them.  This is why I have an Indomitable Spirit!

The Donkey In the Well

I found this story on face book and just loved it.  It was a wonderful comparison to the dirt we have to  put up with in life.  The only way to the Celestial Kingdom is up.  And the only way up is to rise above all the dirt thrown on top of us.  It made me feel better.   Very good FHE lesson.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

MORAL :
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.

3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4. Give more.

5. Expect less from people but more from God.

Here are a few ways to look at the story.

If you want the farmer to represent our Heavenly Father (You'll need to change the story a little bit)      I would have the farmer realize that the only way the donkey could get to the top was to throw the dirt down the well so that the donkey could step on top of it, eventually rising to the top.  Heavenly Father is not trying to be cruel or unkind.  He just knows it's the only way for us to make it back to live with him again.  

But you could have the Farmer represent the world too.  
Once the world/Satan has done everything it can to use you, or break your desire to follow the Savior. The World/Satan will abandon you along with the promises and lies it/he told you and will then try to destroy you.  But we can still rise above the dirt that is thrown our way and be successful and happy.  The world/Satan will have no power over you unless you let it.

Happiness is a choice!

Potty Training!

 Potty training, to be honest is miserable!  A lot of us would rather change diapers than to face up to it. Well here is a little something that really helped motivate my little ones to keep trying.

I start out by giving them a treat every time they sit on the potty.  A gummy bear or a Skittle, something small.   But after a while they loose interest and they don't want to try anymore.    So do you put a diaper back on them or start forcing them to use the toilet.  Believe me forcing them onto the toilet is not a good idea.

So in my desperation I turned to bribery.  Yes, bribery!  I'm not ashamed to admit it.  If ever there is a time for it, this is it!   I took my child to the store and picked out two toys that they were absolutely in love with!  I place the toys (in the boxes) right in front of the toilet where they can see them while they sit.  Then I explain that when they pee in the toilet they can open one toy, and if they poop they can open the other.   Then I let them sit on the toilet and hold the box with the toy.  

If they have an accident, one of the toys goes back in the bathroom until they poop or pee in the toilet again.  Pretty soon they start to catch on.    So far this has been the best motivation I've found.  So, for all you Moms facing potty training in the near future,  I hope this works for you like it did for me!  

Good Luck!

I love Strawberry Shortcake and her friends!  They're so cute!  The only thing wrong with these sweet little dolls are there clothes.  I couldn't find the dolls with the traditional clothes anywhere.  

Oh well... my little girl loves them! 

St. Patrick's Day!

I've always loved St. Patrick's Day!  

Maybe it's because it's my Dad's Birthday... or maybe I just like a reason to celebrate!

We had a delicious dinner of Corn beef and Cabbage along with this tasty, Lime Sherbet Slush!

Click the picture to find the recipe.

After dinner we had Lime Jell-o cupcakes!  They were so good!   I created a Cheesecake frosting that made me feel like a little kid that just wants to licks the frosting off the top!  Yum!   

Click the picture to find the cake recipe.

Cheesecake Frosting

-8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese

-8 oz. tub Whipped Topping

-3 cups Powdered Sugar

-1 tsp.  Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients and whip it until well mixed.  Let sit for 5-10 min to thicken.

Note: This frosting may seem runny, but the longer it sits the more it will set up.  Just like cheesecake or pudding.  I put the frosting into the piping bag and let it sit in that.  It worked great.  So give it some time to stiffing up.

Hope you all had a great St. Patty's Day!