I used to hate being called “Ma’am.”  The first time the check-out girl called me “Ma’am” in the line at Longs, I remember being so surprised and even offended!  Who are you calling “Ma’am?”  We’ve been raised in a a society that puts a premium on youth and immaturity.  It is cool to be young and clueless, hip and self-absorbed.  Old people are passé and lame.  “Ma’am” in my mind equalled old and out-of-date.

This month we focused on shifting our perspective and re-framing our view of the world.  Sometimes, all it takes is the tiniest shift in perspective to become happier and healthier.  We discussed people and our environment, our nutrition and daily habits.  Just listening to you and meditating with you provided me with new thoughts and appreciation for the blessings in my life.

This past weekend, I was working with our pre/K martial arts keiki.  We were sitting in a circle stretching.  I gave an instruction to one of the 4 year-olds, and he looked up at me, smiled, and said sweetly, “Yes, ma’am!”  This is a student who has regularly provided challenges to instructors, who has been unwilling and difficult to engage at times.  As I watched him happily complete the task, I realized what an important moment we just had.  His whole little heart was contained in that “yes, ma’am.”  The sincere utterance of those two little words made me proud to be a sensei.  

I never want to be called “Miss” again.  Even in the line at Longs.