NOVEMBER 2013
The Benefit Children’s Kata Tournament held at Long Valley Middle School was a tremendous success. Parents and friends of our dojo, along with members and friends of the Washington Twp PBA #301 and the Hackettstown PBA #369 worked cooperatively to support the venture. The day started with Carolyn Kulick singing the National Anthem, followed by brief remarks by Mr. Wheeler and myself. After this attendees exited the rear of the gymnasium to watch the K-9 demonstration. The tournament followed with good quality competition and the awarding of medals for the place winners. Children had the opportunity to visit the face painting area and also paint a pumpkin. The two police departments and the S.W.A.T. team had vehicles and equipment to be viewed by all the people who attended the event. The PBA’s also had food available for people attending the event. As is evident this event was much more than just a kata event. Many groups and individuals gave freely of their time to help raise funds for the cause. Once the kata competition was completed, Master Fitzgerald conducted a sparring and self-defense seminar for interested adults explaining how kata moves may be used for actual fighting situations.
Doing the Remarkable – by Jim Rohn
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in your life, here is a key question: What can you do, starting today, that will make a difference? What can you do during economic chaos? What can you do when everything has gone wrong? What can you do when you’ve run out of money, when you don’t feel well and it’s all gone sour? What can you do?
Let me give you the broad answer first. You can do the most remarkable things, no matter what happens. People can do incredible things, unbelievable things, despite the most impossible or disastrous circumstances.
Here is why humans can do remarkable things: because they are remarkable. Humans are different than any other creation. When a dog starts with weeds, he winds up with weeds. And the reason is because he’s a dog. But that’s not true with human beings. Humans can turn weeds into gardens.
Humans can turn nothing into something, pennies into fortune, and disaster into success. And the reason they can do such remarkable things is because they are remarkable. Try reaching down inside of yourself; you’ll come up with some more of those remarkable human gifts. They’re there, waiting to be discovered and employed. With those gifts, you can change anything for yourself that you wish to change. And I challenge you to do that because you can change.
If you don’t like how something is going for you, change it. If something isn’t enough, change it. If something doesn’t suit you; change it. If something doesn’t please you, change it. You don’t ever have to be the same after today. If you don’t like your present address, change it—you’re not a tree! If there is one thing to get excited about, it’s your ability to make yourself do the necessary things, to get a desired result, to turn the negative into success. That’s true excitement.
These ideas by Mr. Rohn tie in will with our martial arts training because each of us chooses to be in the dojo working to improve ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. It is evident that we all cannot win or place in martial art’s event. Some people are more athletically gifted or some simply work harder than the average person. Some people work harder on the foundation skills necessary to develop advanced skills when the time is right. Isshin-ryu training helps to teach each person to take responsibility for his or her physical, mental and emotional growth. The senseis are in the dojo to assist each student develop necessary abilities, but the proper mind set from the individual is necessary if the guidance is to be effective. Challenge yourself daily to improve inside and outside the dojo. Help others when the opportunity presents itself. Be a leader by example.
A note after Sunday’s events in Dunellen from the head of American Isshinryu, Inc.
I would like to thank all responsible for today’s successful children’s kata tournament and seminars. It was truly a Day with the Masters of Isshinryu. This day was designed to bring the best of the best together to learn from another and share technique. I commend everyone who attended for your attention and respect to all presenters. When we unite, we cannot be beat. There is an old saying that I am sure that you have heard before, “seven times down, eight times back up”. Today, you have shown that strength and resilience.
Best Regards,
Ernie Temple
10th Degree Black Belt-Isshinryu Karate
Congratulations to all the students who attended the events. Participation is its own reward in events of this nature. Jake Brader was awarded an autographed bo by Master Temple for having the best kata during the event.
