The following story has been circulating through the internet; I am certain you have probably seen it or had it forwarded to you. It struck a particular point in my mind given Sigung's recent promotion and my title change. It's a responsibility and honor that we do not take lightly.
We are fortunate to have Grandmaster Lim in our lives and we appreciate the unique and awesome opportunity he has given us. His wisdom and knowledge and example shows us "to serve our students, serve our Ohana, serve our instructors and worry about ourselves last." That is often a tough one - real life creeps in and can be overwhelming. This post is a reminder to us to remember our priorities.
We had an exciting weekend with the Tournament and Luau. It's easy to focus on all the work that went into preparing for the tournament. It's easy to focus on the results and who won or did not win. It's easy to focus on the logistics of all the little required details. The "cup" was beautiful for sure! But, the priority is to remember and enjoy the time we spent together, the stories, the fun...all things that made the hot chocolate so sweet.
As martial artists, the cup is never the same but that adds to the variety of our experiences. One thing is for sure - the hot chocolate is always sweet and enjoyable - whether you realize it or not! For that we will be forever grateful.
Sifu Jennifer Corder
"A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.
When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups... And then you began sizing up each others cups.
Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate."
(Original source unknown)
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