Can I keep him in a Bubble?

My little guy starts kindergarten tomorrow.

You would think it is me going to school for the first time and not him. I am both excited for him and nervous. There is the usual hopes that he makes new friends and enjoys the learning experience. It is a monumental point in ones life whether you remember it or not.

I suppose I could be overprotective but I am already worried about "Bullying". Both the thoughts of him suffering from it or worse he starts to develop into a bully send me into a frantic,loss of control panic.

I recall how prevalent it was when I was in school and how it was ignored by most of the grown ups. If a student complained, you were a "tattle tale", teased even more, told to play elsewhere, etc. I think the views of the time were "bullying " was a fact of life and it built character.

That is simply garbage.

The effects of "bullying" unchecked are life lasting for both the victim and the perpetrator. I think the younger it starts the more profound effect it has on the individual.

As a small human being developing character, self esteem, self worth and good morale fiber this all begins with their first interactions. Guidance is imperative, first from the parents, caregivers, teachers...it does take a village to raise a child.

I don't know why but I am always very interested in human character that goes off the rails. How much of it began at a young age...can you blame genetics... I suppose to a certain point, however, I think as "grown ups" we play an enormous part in the development of youth today, not just our own but all in our community. The neighbors kids, the teenager who plays his drums across the street, the babysitter with too many body piercings, the little girl on the tricycle that asks too many questions, the nervous kid student driver whose taking too long to turn, all of them, everywhere.

The point is, each day I have an opportunity to interact with the future and influence in my own way, whether with words or by example but I first have to be aware, take the time and care.

Too often, we are on the go, too busy to take the time or probably more accurately, we are so preoccupied with the buzzing in our own heads we have become oblivious to whats happening in front of us.

Something as simple as "bullying" (and it is simple if you think about it) could easily be eradicated if we, all of us grown ups, just took the time to watch, listen and act.

All for now, from an excited but slightly panicked parent.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

1 Comment

I read everyones blog on a regular basis. I don't often comment even when I do have something to say. I'm not sure why, probably because I'm in a hurry. I give myself 15minutes to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the insights of others. If I stop to write something that makes sense and edit it properly it takes time. Not the right approach of course.


I just want to say, I appreciate the time people take to write their thoughts. Sometimes it helps me , sometimes it provokes me to think beyond my world and my goals, sometimes I disagree respectfully but again gives me the opportunity to ponder other perspectives, sometimes I just get a laugh and a chuckle which I think I appreciate the most.

So thanks.

(and yes, this is a lame way of getting out of blogging something insightful but its still sincere!).



JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta

In A Fog

I have no rants this week, not even an interesting thought for myself let alone to blog about.

I am not sure why but last week was terrible for training and focus. It started by missing a couple of days of doing anything. No forms, no pushups, no weights or running. Life happens of course, and days like these interfere, however, I couldn't seem to pull myself out of it.

The more I didn't do the more I didn't want to do (sorry grammar police).

It was a slippery slope ...no physical activity made me feel sluggish and down and the result was no motivation to do any physical activity.

The simple solution is to just do it!(thanks Nike).

It was tough, I begrudgingly dragged myself to the gym and forced out a pathetic workout. Just like that the Endorphin release (as the theory goes) put me in a better frame of mind and I felt like I was back in control again.

I still feel like I am in a fog, I don't have alot of drive or focus back yet.

Right now the important thing to do when your in a fog is to keep going, don't stop and assure yourself the fog and lack of focus is only temporary.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada