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I bet you thought this would be a Dan-themed challenge, didn't you? You were wrong. This also isn't going to be about going beast mode, either. So, what's going on here? What is often overlooked in Blanka's character is his love of family. He may be a bestial, green-skinned, lightning-shooting, monster-looking fighter, but he joined the Street Fighter tournament looking for his mother. If you beat M. Bison with Blanka, you saw him reunited with his mother, who saw him televised during the tournament. In Super Street Fighter IV, he left his village to travel the world and, after winning the tournament, returned home and the villagers played with him. This is not a monster. This is not a killer. This is a man who fights and seeks to be recognized as a person by those he loves. We Monks are often an insular group. For those who are not part of our dojo, dojang, club, school or studio, we often don't really care how others respond to this perceived violent or dangerous hobby. But that doesn't change the fact that there are people in our lives who, while they may not understand, are with us every step of the way. The parent who drives to tournaments and gradings. The friend who is always happy when we hit that next rank. The spouse or significant other who pushes you out the door when life is making it hard to train. This week is about those people. Let's make some time to tell those people how much it means to us. Let them know that their support makes us better at what we do. And that we love them for it. Now, I have it pretty easy. I have all these nerds from outside the Monks who make a point of following along, making alarmed faces when I talk about what I'm learning, but still cheer pretty loud. Lots of you have those, too. My wife is also on NF, and was actually the reason I joined in the first place. So that's even easier. But I'm going to make some time to tell her that I love her for pushing me out the door even when she wants me at home. I know she doesn't read the Monk mini-challenges, but I'm still going to say it here. And then say it right to her face. Also, pets don't count. Especially dummies like this: Fur affection is too unconditional. Who supports you through thick and thin, Monks? Tell us and then tell them. Your stories matter.