The Seed of Confidence

Mrs. Grider teaches Julian a Front Stance

In a room full of kids from the HALO Center in Denver, I hear them shouting over and over in a military fashion:

I     PRACTICE     TO     GAIN   CONFIDENCE.

I watch as Julian, pictured, stands tall and proud with his chest out, ready to conquer the world. Our newest Volunteer Martial Arts Instructor, Mrs. Grider, approaches him with a high five for his efforts, and Julian's face lights up.

Confidence. That is our word for the next 2 months. It is a life skill that has the ability to dramatically affect the outcome of everything we do.

Julian got me thinking. He started his classes shy and scared to do the moves. Scared of what others would think of him. He has shown so much improvement in the past 2 months. He is no longer scared to speak up in class and has learned how to do some great kicks and punches. He stands proud.

He will be able to use this skill in other areas of his life like saying no to drugs or gangs, saying yes to homework, and practicing respect for people in his life.

Confidence is a powerful thing. It has the ability to change the course of a life. We are grateful Mrs. Grider is such a wonderful volunteer, planting the confidence seed in the lives of HALO children.

To learn more about how to help children like Julian, visit www.haloworldwide.org 
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