"Musashi"

By David Seeger, Go-Dan, Shihan - Pine Forrest Karate Dojo

When I was assigned the ‘Thought Of The Week’ for August 3, 1998, I thought it was kind of weird; some sort of an omen, because on this day, 42 years ago, I was born.

How did I get this particular day to make my post? How did I wind up here? Kyoshi and Sensei Judy began the ‘Thought Of The Week’ at the Okinawan Karate Dojo. We were then encouraged to do the same in our own Schools and Clubs. In time, e-mail came to be, and the Thoughts were shared with everyone. With the advent of the Internet, a rotation was created for the ‘Thought Of The Week’, by now a Shorin-ryu institution. Kyoshi, a Shihan, a Director, a senior student would all share their own individual thoughts with all of us.

As a result, the odds of a post on one’s birthday are slim at best. First, you would have to be in the previously mentioned group, and also your birthday would have to fall on a Monday, which is the date of our posts.

Surely, I must have some Pearl Of Wisdom to say? After all, I have lived roughly half a life, and it was thirty years ago that I began training under Hanshi. Of course, I didn't know at the time how much karate would be a part of my life. The years have gone by faster than I would have imagined. I have enjoyed this Life, although it has not always gone the way I would have liked it to. Therefore, as my ‘Thought Of the Week, I would say that I feel it is important to make the most out of the life we have. Enjoy it!


Sensei Seeger, Go-dan, Birthday Boy