Posts Tagged ‘better world’

Invite Your Buddies to the Karate Path

“In life, it’s not where you go—it’s who you travel with.” –Charles M. Schulz.  There’s no better feeling than having your buddies join you on the path of karate at the dojo. In the early 2000’s, a young man named Brandon LaBorde heard about our dojo from a buddy in his writing class. He tried…

Read More

Traditions of Respect with Chris

Here, Chris gives his view on traditions of respect and Dojo Kun number four. Last time, we talked about number three and a will for striving. Chris is a nearly-to-his-ideal-weight intermediate adult karate student. J: Will you translate Dojo Kun number four? C: It’s important to take the traditions of respect seriously. J: So the…

Read More

SELF CONTROL WITH EMMA

Self control is very important, especially for 13-year-olds like Emma. Here is what this insightful karate teen had to say about it. (Last time, Emma discussed respect with me.) J: Emma, will you put Dojo Kun number five into your own words? E: Yes, if someone is saying mean things and making you mad, don’t…

Read More

On Being Nice, with Braden

Braden has a lot to say about being nice. That’s how he talks about Dojo Kun number four. (Last time, we talked about Dojo Kun number three and not giving up.) J: Braden, can you say Dojo Kun number four? B: Develop a respectful attitude. J: What does that mean? B: Treat others how you’d…

Read More

Message: No Person is an Island

I recently had the same message, about being a part of a group, coming to me from various sources.  When that happens, I take notice, and see if I can apply it to my life.  I heard this point in a podcast interview with Peter Bane.  He said, “By taking care of our larger ‘selves’—our families,…

Read More

KARATE SNOWBIRD

by Jenifer Tull-Gauger We praise Baby Boomers for blazing trails and we at East Valley Martial Arts in Mesa have our own black belt baby boomer doing just that, in karate. Most at our dojo have met Mr. Marty Siemon of Tempe, and many have had the opportunity to learn from him, or train with…

Read More

Eddie Helps Cats

Cities around Phoenix, Arizona have thousands of feral cats.  Around cities, house cats become lost or left behind and have to survive on their own.  They have feral kittens born in the wild, and most feral cats stay that way unless they people tame them as kittens.  Homeless cats have a hard time in the…

Read More

OKINAWA TRIP 5: KATSUREN CASTLE

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger   Next, we were off to Katsuren Castle.  Here is a model of the whole thing, with an artist’s rendition of the buildings.  It was a bit of a drive to the east side of the island.  We drove past the bay where the Battle of Okinawa started.  Across the street from…

Read More

WHAT A CHILD NEEDS TO LEARN

Over a decade ago, I watched a documentary about why people land in prison, and why they end up returning.  The biggest take-away was that those prisoners didn’t learn that their actions have consequences.  They don’t make the connection that their choices shape their lives.  The most important thing a child needs to learn is…

Read More

EVERYTHING I NEED FOR KINDERGARTEN, I LEARNED IN KARATE

By Jenifer Tull-Gauger Years ago, my husband and I decided not to put our oldest in preschool.  We put much thought into this decision – touring several preschools, and crunching our budget.  We couldn’t afford both preschool and a Little Dragons karate program (even though karate was more affordable than preschool.)  We finally decided on…

Read More