Fun Family Ideas from Master Pierce

The Family that Kick Together - Sticks Together
or
Plays Together - Stays Together

A number of recent events have me thinking about the family. In our busy world
the family unfortunately seems to be one vital aspect of life that is ignored. And yet, the
family should be right at the top of the list of our priorities and stewardships.

I have been having great times hosting Family Nights at my Bushi Ban Martial
Arts and Fitness. Simply call my school at 801 763-1132 and set a Monday night when
you want to celebrate good family fun. We will give you the invitations to invite your
friends, neighbors and family. I will do the rest.

If I may, here are some of my family’s favorite - yet cheap and simple activities.

1. Trampoline Soccer: (I know trampolines create injuries that need chiropractic care -
but that is a not the reason I am writing this - honest!). Because this comes with a
warning label, I will only tell you the rules if you ask me directly.

2. Sanpete County vacation. We have done this several times. We love Palisades Golf
Course, the pizza on Ephraim’s Main Street, the movie, the bowling, the Manti Temple,
four wheelers, and our biggest highlight is the Snow College Recreational Center. We
play racquetball, tennis, basketball, swim and dive. You’ll agree that the highlight for
most kids’ vacation is the hotel swimming pool. We don’t need to go to Mexico for a
pool. And, it is hard to find a public high dive anymore.

3. Fox and Geese in the snow. I know it is not winter - but it is one of our favorite
activities. It is ‘tag’ in the snow on the course you make. Ask me about this next Winter.

4. Karate. We love to spar, sword fight (foam swords), wrestle… How many fathers
my age get to do something like this - and actually win on occasions? This would make a
great family night at Bushi Ban.

5. Sleep out with the kids. A huge favorite for your children! I’d recommend the
trampoline - but then you’d think I was drumming up business again (and you‘d be
right!). A tent is the ultimate for kids.

6. Outside Work. You may have to pull the kids’ teeth to get them out there, but yard
work with the entire family brings up wonderful memories for many of us. My oldest
son wrote me while on his mission and told me that the only thing he really misses was
working with me outside on the farm.

7. Four Square. Sadly, we haven’t done this for a while. All you need is some chalk
and a ball.

8. Kick Ball. Anyone up for the challenge? You bring two families and we’ll invite
one. (You’d think a family of Black Belts would kick the ball out of the park. Those
stupid bouncy balls don’t work that way).

9. Laser Tag. This is one of our favorites. There are frequently coupons available. My
family loves to challenge other families. Any takers?

10. Game Night. This is definitely one of my family’s favorite things to do. Talk about
cheap! And lots of fun… if I win!

11. Dollar theater. I hate spending big bucks for a lousy movie. For a $1.50, I can at
least get a good nap if I don’t like the movie. (And my wife doesn’t hit me like she does
in church).

12. Wienie Roast. What a simple, fun and cheap meal for the kids and mom. I use
Fudge Stripes instead of chocolate and graham crackers for the s’mores.

13. Volleyball and Badminton in the yard.

14. Knife Fighting (with rubber knives and goggles). (Okay, I did shamelessly slip in
another karate activity).

15. Biking.

16. Mini Soccer Games in the yard.

17. Whiffle Ball is one of the all-time great games! This is baseball with the plastic ball
with holes in it. I like to play where you can hit the base runner with the ball to get them
out. With this rule you can play with only four to six players.

I hope I got your mind racing a bit. We don’t have to spend money and travel all
over the world to have fun, release stress, exercise and create memories. We live in an
area with so much to do.

Start your family activities with a Family Night at Bushi Ban! (Okay, you caught
me slipping in karate! Guilty again!). It’s not like I said you should have a great family
outing at Canyon Chiropractic Clinic… hey, that is a great idea!

See you soon!

Master (Dr.) David G. Pierce

Message from Master Pierce: Economy

Dear Bushi Ban Family,

I want to thank you for your continued support. I know many are concerned about the economy and it would be a lie to say it isn’t affecting us. However, it is nice to see that so many of you see the true value in Bushi Ban.

I know I mentioned this before… but I loved these two statements made by two of our parents:

“We will become a one car family before we give up Bushi Ban.”
“You are now number 3 on our budget - behind food and housing.”

Personally, I want to tell you what has taken place in my own mind.

A few months ago I was totally caught up in the economy, last days prophecies, the doom and gloom of it all. I was single-handedly bringing it all to pass in my own mind.

And then, I recognized the power my mind had over my real world. The subconscious never sleeps and I was keeping my subconscious and conscious fed with every negative report I could get my hands, eyes and ears on. Do you know someone like that? Maybe you? I decided to take action steps.

I once again began to read one motivational book a month. Scriptures daily. Sincere prayer and meditation. Updated my vision board. Resumed my positive ‘pillow talk’ Watched The Secret a couple times. And here is what made the biggest difference: I QUIT WATCHING NEWS, READING NEWSWEEK AND THE NEWSPAPER. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCH THE RADIO STATION WHEN THE ECONOMY NEWS COMES ON. I IMMEDIATELY TRY TO CHANGE THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION IF IT IS NEGATIVE OR I AM UNABLE TO BRING A POSITIVE LIGHT TO IT.

An amazing thing happened. My numbers began to rise again in my clinic. Very few students have dropped. Those that have been affected with a job loss have come to us to work out an arrangement to continue lessons and chiropractic care. New students continue to come to us.

I heard last week that our Utah economy is down 10%. Wow, after being up 30% in the previous years. We are still ahead! I would say we still are far ahead of ALL the previous generations. Can you imagine what our ancestors would feel like if they were in our situation? They’d feel like kings and queens!

I am not ignoring the pressing issues - I am taking action steps. Hence, the ‘90 New Students in 90 Days‘. I have more exciting promos coming up that you will all benefit from. The negative others are feeling is giving us our positives. WE at Bushi Ban are striving to be even better for YOU - to give you an unbelievable value for your hard earned dollar. I see us succeeding and from your excellent support and wonderful compliments, I know you agree.

I would like to suggest one more thing.

Let’s support our own Bushi Ban Family. For example:

T & C Tire Factory in American Fork is a wonderful company that has served us well. If you need excellent auto service - go to them like we do.

Troy Thompson of Farmers Insurance will give you a free quote and excellent service. Call him at 801-465-1176 or email him for a quote at tthompson4@farmersagent.com.

We have lots of business owners in our dojo. These are our friends that need and deserve our support. Look for a Bushi Ban Family Business Board to be up soon. In the meantime, let’s start a network. You don’t have to be a business owner to participate. Let us know where you work.

And most importantly, every night as you kneel to pray, think of your many blessings. This is what should be on your mind as you do your ‘pillow talk’ - not the garbage the media is filling us with.

I love you all!

Master Pierce

Message from Master Pierce: INVOLVEMENT

Parental involvement is the key to reaching Black Belt.

First, a bit of advice to the parents of our amazing students. Remember that your children live in the moment. There may come a time, believe it or not, when they may not want to go to class. They might be watching a favorite TV show, playing with a best friend or reading a good book. Once they are in class, they do have fun, and they remember why they enjoy karate.

As parents, we are always looking for what is best for our child/children. I promise you, a BLACK BELT is one of those "bests" for your child.

Still, it can often be a struggle to stay on that path. Now that my wife and I are enjoying our fifth child moving towards Black Belt, we have a bit of experience in this matter. So here are my top suggestions:

1) You don't have to watch every class, but I would certainly hope you come to the Belt Test Graduations.

2) Take advantage of our additional special programs. Currently our Black Belt Club and Team Xtreme are full, but we can put you on the waiting list.

3) Have your child participate in seminars. These are always great, and they are usually inexpensive if not free.

4) Participate WITH your child in the many activities through out the year-often the whole family can join in. (ie in the last few months we had: Halloween Party and Spook Alley October 30th. Picture Day November 9th and 10th. Food Drive and movie on November 17th, and a Christmas/New Year's party during our holiday closed week.)

5) Get friends and neighbors enrolled. The temptation to stay and play with a friend versus attending class has been effectively eliminated. And it is always fun to work out with a friend. We also offer a "carpool" discount for you and the other carpooling participants.

6) Show your involvement by working on the personalized binder/scrapbook(you know the one...your child hands it in each belt test, and they will need it to bring to Texas for their Black Belt)with your child.

7) Ask your child what they learned that day, including the mat chat and handouts. Better yet, have them show you their new skills when they get home.

8) Practice. No, don't make them practice every day, unless your child wants to. However, I strongly recommend they practice for ten minutes before bedtime the material they learned that day. I am a big believer in productive dreams. Also, they should practice more when belt tests and tournaments are coming up.

9) SIGN UP YOURSELF! A whole separate letter needs to be written regarding the benefits of this alone. How else could we have six black belts (seventh next September) in our family if this weren't a family activity?

THE ROAD TO BLACK BELT IS THE BEST PARENTING AID IN THE WORLD!

Master David G. Pierce

Senior Master David Pierce

School Owner of the Utah Headquarters and Master of the Region

• 5th Degree Black Belt
• 20+ years of training in the martial arts (including wrestling)
• Successful participation in multiple tournaments
• Doctor of Chiropractic
• Father of 5 Black Belts
• 44+ years of participation in multiple sports, including 2 years of college football
• 30 years of coaching in multiple sports
• Former Jr. High and Sr. High School teacher and coach
• Experience in running a girl's home for teenagers
• Former college professor

SUMMARY:
Senior Master Pierce has the experience and talent to own and run one of the most successful schools in the Mountain West.