LETTERS TO THE GRANDMASTER

            I’ll begin with the family business because at the start of the year my attention was focused turning the business from a negative to a positive.  One of my monthly goals consisted of creating  harmony with my father and brother, my relationship with my employees, and everyone's performance.  None of my methods seemed to work.  I began considering disassociating myself from the family business.  I went back and looked at my original goals, one being to open up a martial arts school.  Before leaving I gave the family business one more chance.  I put all of my energy into making the business work.  It didn’t!  The main reason for me leaving was because the relationship that I had grown to love and respect between my father and myself was just about over .  I thought my father was a man of wisdom and knowledge.  All of that changed, as with time I noticed that my fathers’ wisdom and knowledge could compare to that of a white belt in our school.  As the year progressed, I felt that I had grown spiritually, mentally, and physically, while my father stayed the same.

            At this point in the year, it was roughly the end of July.  Coincidently, in August we had our first meeting regarding the opening of our martial arts school.  Since I was no longer in the family business, I could concentrate completely on the school.  The timing was perfect.  Not only was the timing perfect, but I also had a basic foundation to work with.  This was for me a better way to start a school.  Plus I was included in a partnership with people that I trust.

            I know I had different goals which included paying my bills, paying off credit cards, scheduling a financial budget, and managing my money.  It’s actually quite funny and ironic looking back and seeing the progression each month.  There was only one slight drawback.

            My brother had done something I would never imagine that he would do.  I wont go into it because that in itself would take over a thousand words.  If anything I learned a very important lesson.

            With the years end, I find myself a lot wiser.  I feel that I have grown tremendously.  I also gained custody of my son.  I no longer have a business.  I am still living at my mothers’ house and my father and I are starting to get along better.  All in all it was a good year.

            In conclusion, I would like to thank Grandmaster Caprio for following through.  Not just handing us the goals papers at the end of the month, but also taking the time to review them with us.  And to come up with writing this essay so we can see our accomplishments over the past year.  It was very educational.

 End