Take Ownership, Plant Daisies

You may or may not have noticed that there are always fresh flowers on the altar. On occasion I have had the chance to provide the flowers for the altar right from my own garden. I kinda puff with pride when I see them as I know I'm contributing, even if in a small, unnoticeable way. It warms my heart to do this small thing. I feel pride when I look around the kwoon and I can see where I've left my mark. Literally and figuratively. 

Right now there is a bouquet of peonies, delphiniums and scruffy white daisies, put there by one of our students, who provided them from her own garden.

It warms my heart more knowing that one of our students gets to experience the fulfillment that comes with taking ownership. That she is taking advantage the opportunities presented to her. It shows in her training; her skill and understanding grow each time I see her on the mats.

Taking ownership in the kwoon has helped my own training tremendously. When you take pride in something you have you tend to take better care of it; when you take pride in what you do you tend to try and do it well. As it is mentioned, we are family and the kwoon is our home. I am proud and humbled to be a part of your life and training, and I want the best for us. So, I try to take care of our home. 

I encourage all of you to find some daily part of the kwoon that you can take ownership of. The grass, the grounds, the plants, the planters. Or just round up the dust bunnies when they appear. Something tangible that helps you feel like it is a home you can be proud knowing you're a part of. The kwoon will only be a building to you until you make it your home. When it becomes your home it becomes a part of you and I promise you the returns are a thousand fold.