Day 4368: Civilization, Living Memories.

 

"Receeding Power": junk mail collage.

 

  

Want music?

 

    

Click : Rufus, Stop On By.

 

  

 

 

2GN2S

Signs of Civilization

 

Years ago, anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones.

 

But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said.

"We are at our best when we serve others.”

Credit: Ira Byock

Living Memories.

Saturday morning, I got up early to go to the honbu dojo in Santa Ana to help with testing. Kyu testing occurs twice a year, Dan testing (black belt) once a year if needed. Senior blackbelts are expected to help. I found a terrific advantage. 

During 52 years studying Karate, and 32 years teaching at Costa Mesa, I was blessed with so many great students. Some of them were testing or helping test today.

me, Hannah Margolin, Jianna Flores, Roy Center

I thought you might like to see what long term students look like?Here's Hannah who is in college and tested for Sho-dan, black belt.

White belt Hannah

Red Belt Hannah

And, here's Jianna ... now a college grad with her masters, also a professor at UCLB and still pursuing her goals

White belt Jianna

Black belt Roy, Red Belt Jianna

 

 

John Riss (not pictured) a former red belt and current green belt tested today for his brown belt. He and his twin sister Claire are both Mater Dei grads, and both college juniors? Sensei Roy Center, Nana-dan, Costa Mesa Instructor, lead the kya and dan test. Jared Stanton, San Dan, also a former red belt and business man helped proctor the test.

me, Jared, Sensei Roy.

Brian, Slovenia

Brian Hilliard, Yon-dan, USA Karate team, World Champion and more, has been Demura Sensei's student since age six. Brian is now assisting Sensei Roy Center teaching at Costa Mesa Dojo.

Jared, Bruce, Freddy, Jianna, me, Sensei Roy, Hannah, Brian.

Another great day!

 

 

A 1 minute video, Baby Sloth,  here

 

 

 

  

 

Just because ...

  

 

Common Tern (and friend)

  

 

Sunday's Smiles ...