Mindfulness in Action: Choosing Service Every Day
At Douvris Martial Arts, February is all about Service which means showing love and care through the way we treat people and the choices we make every day.
Service isn’t one big, dramatic moment. It’s often the small things: a kind word, an extra hand, a quiet act of support. And just like karate, it takes practice. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
Karate Teaches Us the Art of Helping Others
In the dojo, we don’t just teach punches and kicks — we teach character. One of the most important parts of living a balanced life is learning to be of service to others.
Our goal is that, over time, students don’t need to be reminded to help, they begin to do it by instinct. That’s when a skill becomes a habit, and a habit becomes part of who you are.
The best part? “Helping others” can mean many things:
- Being a supportive friend when someone is having a tough day
- Helping a neighbour shovel their driveway
- Volunteering or contributing to a local charity
- Offering encouragement to someone who’s nervous or new
No matter the size of the action, it matters. Your actions speak loudly, and kindness spreads faster than you think.
Service at Douvris Martial Arts
We’re proud to give students opportunities throughout the year to build this value, both through daily life and through community-focused initiatives.
But it starts in the dojo: showing respect, being a great training partner, helping someone feel welcome, and choosing to lead by example.
Striving 4 Excellence Program
Children (ages 7 to 12) and Tykes (ages 4 to 6) that are beginning their martial arts journey are all introduced to our famous ‘Striving 4 Excellence Program’. These workbooks contain lessons, teach goal-setting, and most importantly: focus on a ‘word of the month’. Each of these words not only holds meaning, but also has power when truly understood.
Students are taught what words like respect, courtesy, and courage mean, and what they look like in daily life. Through this, they are able to develop knowledge and understanding of ways in which they can choose to act. Some everyday ways that you can help others are:
- Being there for your peers, and listening to what they have to say.
- Ask your friends or family how their day has been going. This helps those around you feel loved, and shows them that you care.
- Holding the door for someone in need, or just to be nice! This simple action can go a long way. Now that person will feel the need to help others, and so on.
- Offer to help with a task. Whether it is bringing in the groceries, or handing out papers for your teacher, things like this make other’s lives that much easier.
- Asking other classmates to play with you at recess. This helps to make everyone around you feel included.
Keep Learning With Us
Explore our karate programs or learn more about the Striving 4 Excellence Program.
Let’s make February a month of Service, at home, at school, and in our community. 💛
Final Notes: Please be advised that this article is based on our own thoughts and opinions and have not been approved by a professional. Our karate and martial arts programs are offered at 10 locations across the Ottawa and Gatineau Region.
