Be Aware of Opportunities and Create Your Own Luck
Every single day that you wake up is an opportunity. You can be miserable, if you so choose. We all have negative aspects of our lives. On the other side of the coin, each new day is your chance to start again, with a more positive attitude. We all have blessings in our lives for which we can be grateful. We have opportunities all around us.
Read MoreOn Accurate Thinking: Not What, but How to Think
We are taught and constantly inundated with information and nuances about what we should think. But now it is time for us to learn discernment and accurate thinking, and then to put our own minds to good use.
Read MorePositive Affirmations out of the Dojo Kun
These character-building picture books for children are fun and a little weird. They contain martial arts, karate kids, Japanese words and monsters. The monsters represent the negative character traits which we must all battle, at times, in order to lead better lives. The third and latest book, “The Follow Through Karate Kids,” also contains the Dojo Kun in positive affirmations.
Read MoreKarate Tortoise and Martial Arts Hare
In over two decades of teaching karate, we notice things such as the benefit of being a karate tortoise as opposed to a martial arts hare.
Read MoreSayonara to Michael M. Ferreira Sensei
Ferreira Sensei shined as a beacon for martial artists to look up to. I am so grateful that I knew him and got to spend time training in martial arts with him.
Read MoreWhat sets Ryukyu Kempo Apart?
Ryukyu Kempo is a general term for martial arts developed in Okinawa. However, Ryukyu Kempo as taught by the United Ryukyu Kempo Alliance, is a unique and effective martial art. Not only is it effective in self defense and life protection. The curriculum we teach can be applied to all areas of life. In particular,…
Read MoreWho’s Tattling?: On Learning Where to Focus
I have seen a particular scenario in many karate classes. It happens most with our young students when the instructor asks, “Who’s tattling?”
Read MoreThe Ryukyu Kingdom and Freedom
I love training in traditional karate for many reasons. One of those is the culture of the Ryukyu* people. These island dwellers have strong values that are worth learning about and promoting. One of those things that they value, and have valued highly for hundreds of years, is freedom. A History of Freedom George H.…
Read MoreTraining Inspiration: Quotes for Karateka
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. …” -Mohandas Gandhi. I’d like to add to the Gandhi quote that the only one who can change me is me. That’s because the only one…
Read MoreTeaching Kids Accountability
The law of cause and effect is a natural law. Life itself is great at teaching kids accountability. But many adults overly protect the young.
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