Face, we are teaching the next generation; the hope of tomorrow. Teaching children is in fact one of the most important jobs you may ever have. Below are ten lessons we should give them because we got them or because we learned the hard way.

1. We are best at what we practice the most
In other words, mastery won't happen overnight. We need to teach that whatever it is you want to be good at will be mastered with consistent practice. Once they've learned the mental, physical, and emotional intensity required to make practice work for them, they've learned one of the most valuable lessons. A black belt is simply a white belt that did not quit.

2. Nobody can "make" you anything
I like this one and I think it has helped me personally a lot. Other people don't make us anything: happy, mad, sad, whatever. The term "You make me so mad!" is often heard from people. No, they don't "make" us mad. We allow them to make us mad. What you are teaching is taking responsibility, something we need a lot of in this world. If you learn this asset, you won't blame others for your state of mind.

3. Two wrongs don't make a right
If someone is mean to you, this does not mean you have to be mean right back. Retaliation is not self-defense. Self-defense is when there is a threat you need to neutralize.

4. Goals you set are goals you get
Learn now or pay for it later. Teaching children the basics of goal-setting is something that anybody can benefit from.

5. You don't fail
Failure is such a nasty, dead-end word. What if you taught them that they should look at failure as results. This way, if you don't get what you are after, you don't call yourself a failure; you simply redirect your attention to a new approach.

6. Character is more important than reputation
What others think of you is a lot less important than the way you behave when no one is going to hold you accountable. This lesson would put a stop to most of the painful, popularity contests in high school.

7. The Golden Rule
Treat others as you want to be treated. Place yourself in their shoes. Yes, the parents have said this one too, but we never listened to our parents did we?

8. It's okay to disagree
This is a fear that many have; they fear being seen as unpopular or at least against the status quo. Children need to be taught it is fine to disagree with others as long as you have reason. Just don't be disagreeable and turn your arguments ugly. Ties in with #6.

9. You can do almost anything
If you give yourself time, a teacher, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and encourage, you can do almost anything.

10. Apply lessons elsewhere
How often do you think you will have to defend yourself? Everything you learn, in school, in the martial arts classroom, in the library, needs to be applied to other areas of your life.