Day 733: How did you get into that?

junk mail collage

A dear lady, who I greatly respect, asked ...

 "How did you get into that?"

That, meaning karate. 
And that has been asked a lot.

Me, always looking for the next blog, thought 

this may be in the TMI category, but okay?

Earliest memory ... at age 8 ... fascinated, 

seeing men in white suits doing something (?)

inside a store-front on Sunset Boulevard, 

as my Dad drove us to the Ontra Cafeteria.
I didn't know what they were doing or why ...
but I wanted to know more even then.

Each trip, I would perk up blocks ahead, ready to peek in.

This keen interest remained on the back burner
 for the next 22 years, with no option to discover more.

Later, living & teaching in Riverside, I took classes at UCR.

A strong karate program was growing ... and I was hooked.

I trained five nights a week, plus four hours on Saturday.

This was after teaching junior high school all day.

There weren't many women then, no concessions were made.

I wasn't skilled, but I loved it and I still do.

That's the how.

 The why is more important.

For forty three years I have studied traditional Japanese karate.

Originally, Shoto-Kan at UCR with Sensei Ray Dalke, then

Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai, and Genbu-Kai with Demura Sensei.

Dojo kun, Demura Sensei's calligraphy

Yes, karate is physically demanding, pushing limits,
requiring self-discipline, bravery and endurance. 
But we work to conquer ourselves, not others.

But, even more important is the respect, manners, honor,
gentility, loyalty, and especially humility.
These are important to me.

A smile for Tuesday ...