Technique of the Week (May 8th 2011)
From
Sensei Salvatore Scaglione
Roku-Dan
Denshi/Co-Shihan Northern VA Ueshiro Karate
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Onegai-shimasu
Hanshi, Kyoshi, Sensei, and Deshi-
Several weeks ago I wrote a note about several Sempai embarking
on a journey up
through the northeast contingent of Ueshiro Shorin Ryu Karate
USA Dojo. In
essence, we are all on a journey, some of us on many journeys
of all kinds on
and off the deck. Many journeys begin with a thought, a concept,
a vision, something of a
carrot that we strive to reach. It could be a goal we are attempting
to achieve, a
target we hope to hit. My thought for this week is not about
that end point or
accomplishment or whatever event brings any journey to an end.
My thought
encompasses making it a point to enjoy the actual journey itself,
to recognize
those events that along way actually make up the heart of the
journey and not just concentrate on the result at journey's
end.
By
keying in on andcelebrating
the center of the journey, we will stand a better chance at
actually reflecting on and getting valuable life lessons from
the entire trip and not just focusing on the
result. From a personal point of view, I've had many journeys
in life, not all of them
ended as I envisioned at the onset while some have ended exactly
as planned, and
sometimes the journey ended better than I could have ever dreamed.
By not
focusing on the outcome, good or bad,and concentrating and enjoying
all of the
moments comprising each journey I've developed a great appreciation
for
actually taking on a journey and in that way all of my journeys
have been successes.
For me it's expanded my world and enabled to pay homage to every
little detail
along the path of life.
To
highlight this point, Hanshi has said thousands of times that
these are
the good ole days. That concept of living in the moment
and appreciating the
here and now facilitates the concept of appreciating of each
and every aspect of your
journey. In
our Karate training we all have journeys we are on as we continue
to move
forward.The belts we wear and the certificates we've collected
are
meaningless without the countless pushups, squats, blocks, punches,
kicks, or kata we've
done building up to that point.The lessons we take from each
class,
corrections from every Sensei, each drop of sweat falling due
to getting lower
and punching harder, are what make the journey sweet.Avoid the
temptation to
fast forwarding to the good parts and cut to the chase by putting
life in slow motion and replay those moments as part of self-reflection.
Be thankful
for each moment and making those points in time a learning experience.
To that
end, we are all on the grand journey of life, treasure each
moment along the
way, appreciate every instant in your world, and work to make
your life journey
a success.
Domo Arigato,
Sensei Salvatore Scaglione
Roku-Dan
Denshi/Co-Shihan Northern VA Ueshiro Karate
