LEE, Mass. — Students at Lee Elementary School discovered how to channel their ninja spirit both inside and outside the classroom during a Neighborhood Ninjas presentation on Friday.

 

The motivational assembly explored how to not fear failure, overcome negative thoughts, be confident in your abilities, and not let other peoples thoughts defer you from your goals. 

 

We are so quick to doubt our ability; rather focus on the process. Ability will come from focusing on the process, Neighborhood Ninjas Executive Director Alex Katz said. 

 

Individuals have to decide that even if others do not believe in them or see their vision, they have to believe in themselves, she said. "It's not about never failing; it's about getting back up, trying again, and learning from each attempt."

 

Katz showed students her journey of overcoming her fear of heights, which inspired her to take up the ninja warrior sport, in which athletes run a timed course of physical challenges. The entertainment/reality competition originated in Japan and is probably best known here as "American Ninja Warrior."

 

On the big white screen, she projected her numerous attempts to lache — swinging from one bar to another — until she succeeded the 17th time and attributed her previous failures to fear. 

 

"I am a big fan of doing stuff that scares you safely. That means we practice it. A lot of people think ninjas don’t get scared. We hear things like 'ninjas are just fearless'... but we do get scared," Katz told the students.