September 2008 Newsletter
On August 19, 2008 with the passing of Mary Duessel, wife of my
instructor since 1985 Hanshi William H. Duessel, those who knew her lost a
dear friend. Mary will be remembered for her love, smile, courage, and
honesty that were shared with those for whom she cared. Please keep her and
her family in your thoughts and prayers. Also, anyone wishing to add to the
dojo contribution for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Mary’s memory please
see Kyoshi ASAP. Gifts From the Heart - Michael Josephson -
www.charactercounts.org
According to legend, a young man while roaming the desert came across a
spring of delicious crystal-clear water. The water was so sweet he filled
his leather canteen so he could bring some back to a tribal elder who had
been his teacher. After a four-day journey he presented the water to the old
man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student lavishly
for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village with a happy
heart. Later, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it
out, saying it was awful. It apparently had become stale because of the old
leather container. The student challenged his teacher: "Master, the water
was foul. Why did you pretend to like it?" The teacher replied, "You only
tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for
an act of loving-kindness and nothing could be sweeter. Heartfelt gifts
deserve the return gift of gratitude." I think we understand this lesson
best when we receive innocent gifts of love from young children. Whether
it's a ceramic tray or a macaroni bracelet, the natural and proper response
is appreciation and expressed thankfulness because we love the idea within
the gift. Gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most
children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling
embodied in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the
beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts
from the heart are really gifts of the heart.
CONGRATULATIONS to the students who earned promotions since our
last newsletter.
- Junior Purple Belt #2 – Joseph Reinbold
- Junior Green Belt #1 - Tyler Johnson
UPCOMING EVENTS
- AOKA’S DON NAGLE KARATE TOURNAMENT – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH
– STARTING AT 11 AM
MARIST HIGH SCHOOL – 1241 KENNEDY BLVD., BAYONNE, NJ
- MT ARLINGTON F.O.P. LODGE # 78 TOURNAMENT – SUNDAY, OCTOBER
19TH – STARTING AT 10 AM
EDITH DECKER SCHOOL – 446 HOWARD BLVD., MT. ARLINGTON, NJ
- 2009 IWKA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT – HILTON PITTSBURGH -
June 18, 19, and 20, 2009 - SEMINARS WITH HANSHI DUESSEL THURSDAY,
SEMINARS WITH MASTER SHIMABUKU FRIDAY, TOURNAMENT SATURDAY - REGISTER
EARLY - http://www.iwka2009-pittsburgh.org
IF INTERESTED SEE KYOSHI
The ancient writer tells us in Proverbs, "Without a vision, the people
perish." And Thoreau told us that "The mass of men lead lives of quiet
desperation." Wallace D. Wattles, wrote "There is no labor from which most
people shrink as they do from that of sustained and consecutive thought; it
is the hardest work in the world." And yet it is the "sustained and
consecutive thought" about our vision that is the first and primary labor of
achievement. Thoreau also wrote. And it gives us the best reason there is to
stop what you're doing today and identify the vision for your life. "If one
advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live
the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in
common hours." And that's worth thinking about! What is your vision for
your future, your ideal life? Is it written where you will visit it
often? Is your life organized around goals and objectives that will
ensure your vision is reached?
The following article about “CIRCUMSTANCES” came recently from Bob
Proctor, an individual with great insights about people, life and success.
As we move from the summer months into the school year and continue to
dedicate ourselves to our lives and training, these words are meaningful.
The greatest stumbling block to achieving anything of importance in
your life is circumstances. We let circumstances get us off the hook
when we should be giving it everything we've got. More dreams are
shattered and goals lost because of circumstances than any other single
factor. How often have you caught yourself saying, "I would like to do
or have this but I can't because...?" Whatever follows "because" is the
circumstance. Successful people use circumstances to catapult them on
toward their goal, while the masses use them as roadblocks. A
circumstance may cause a detour in your life but you should never permit
it to stop you. George Bernard Shaw is quoted as saying, "People are
always blaming circumstance for what they are. I do not believe in
circumstance. The people who get on in this world are the people who get
up and look for the circumstance they want and if they can't find them
they make them." Napoleon said, "Circumstances hell, I make them."
The next time you hear someone say they would like to vacation in Paris,
or purchase a particular automobile but they can't because they have no
money. Tell them they don't need any money, your reward will probably be
a blank stare followed with, "What do you mean I don't need any money?"
Explain they don't need the money until they make a decision to go to
Paris or purchase the car. When the decision is made, they will figure
out a way to get the amount needed. They always do. The circumstance
they are using is one of the most common: a lack of money. The real
cause of their problem is lack of decision. You always attract what you
need when you decide it must be done. Try this yourself today. You know
the task you have been putting off "because..." Make a decision, forget
the circumstance or adopt Shaw's theory, but get it done!
"Circumstances may cause interruptions and delays, but never lose sight
of your goal. Prepare yourself in every way you can by increasing your
knowledge and adding to your experience, so that you can make the most
of opportunity when it occurs.” Mario Andretti - Auto Racer
Okinawa Remembered – 2008 - - Lori Healy, Ni Dan Practicing and
living Isshinryu Karate is something I enjoy, but even more so because I
share this with my fifteen-year-old son, Thomas. Being able to
experience Okinawa together was amazing. Studying a culture and home of
Isshinryu Karate was very surreal. We both have a better understanding
and connection with our karate. Every day was memorable, especially
climbing to the top of Mt. Gusuku on Ie Island. Our highlight was our
time with Master Shimabuku. He was much more relaxed and personal in his
home setting. We were comfortable and welcomed by him and his students.
They seemed just as excited that we were there as we were. Thomas and I
only wish that we could have trained every night. Then we would have had
more time to review and reinforce skills and ask questions.
Master Shimabuku frequently mentioned how hard we all trained and seemed
very pleased with our knowledge. This is due to the super training we
receive from Kyoshi John Hughes. We are very fortunate that Kyoshi has such
a strong dedication to Isshinryu Karate and continues to seek training and
direction from Master Duessel. So much was gained from our trip to Japan and
we look forward to future trips to Okinawa, but we are happy to be back to
training in our dojo in Hackettstown.
JUNIOR PURPLE & BROWN BELT CLASS - THIRD FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH 6:00 P.M.
to 6:55 P.M. ADULT BROWN AND BLACK BELT CLASS IS 7:00 PM TO 8:30 PM
TRAINING SPECIFIC FOR SKILLS YOU NEED TO: IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS & ADVANCE
ABILITIES IN KATA, KUMITE & WEAPONS
COST - $5.00 PER SESSION
EACH STUDENT MUST SIGN UP BY THE WEDNESDAY OF THE WEEK OF THE TRAINING TO
ATTEND First three months are - - SEPTEMBER 19TH, OCTOBER 17TH NOVEMBER
21ST |
