As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily life, a subtle but profound shift is occurring: the average person is thinking less. Not because people have become less capable, but because the digital world increasingly rewards passivity. Convenience has become the new currency, and in the name of efficiency, we are outsourcing more and more […]
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As I conclude my senior year I have often heard this word. Excellence. Whether to applaud me for my accolades or describe the programs I’ve started. But what truly makes what I did excellent at all? To me I was simply doing what was expected; giving my very best. This has led me to wonder
The Bar For Excellence Isn’t Very High Read More »
What is purpose? The dictionary gives the definition as the reason something exists, an intended end; aim; or goal. It creates meaning. Offers a sense of direction. Helps guide our paths, behavior and our goals when applied to our lives. Have you ever thought to yourself and wondered, are you living your life with a
A question comes up often when people ask about doing Martial Arts: Do I have to be in shape? I need to make that part of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The answer I tend to give is “Start from Where you are. I will request a lot of push ups or sit ups. If
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Research is never a straight line; my experience with AP Research showed me just how winding the path toward progress can be. It all began one fateful day during a conversation with my father. I remarked that it feels as if people are actively opposing fights for equality. This baffled me, I couldn’t understand why
A Journey of Research Read More »
I’m not doing karate for a black belt. Wait, what? Okay, okay, yes, I want to advance. Yes, I want to improve and become more skilled in my art. Yes, I want to learn. But I’m not doing karate for a black belt. I’m in my third year of karate, and what I’m discovering is
Pride in the Journey Read More »
You can cut the air with a knife because of the “tension” in the room. Everyone was working hard. Lessons being learned and absorbed. The “tention” was great.No, that was not a misspelling. An idea was being batted about as we discussed excess tension. We are trying to get away from the word “relax”. That
So much “tension” in the room Read More »
Alright it’s not a blog but I’ve finally put together my reading list for koryu folks, or folks just interested in the koryu take on martial arts. What is koryu? In general, Koryu literally means “old flow” and is used in Japanese to refer to old styles, schools, or traditions (not necessarily only in the martial
Koryu Reading Lists Read More »
I see a six. You see a nine. We are looking at the same figure. A lot of our opinions depend on our frame of reference. Over the past few years I have had the pleasant opportunity to be both a teacher and a student. As a martial artist, I am having the time of my
Frame of Reference Read More »
Everybody loves to say they “think outside the box.” Yeah, cool, but here’s the thing—they always forget you need to build a box to begin with. Trust me, after 15 years of getting punched and kicked (and, okay, doing some of the punching and kicking) in karate, you realize real quick: before you get creative,