Hey Everyone:

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Today, I met with one of my buddies for breakfast.  I do that two to three times per week with a group of my piers and friends.  Today, my buddy and I spoke about the mentality of the new age martial art student.  I used the analogy of the Last Samurai - where the modern Shogun or leader was being pushed to force out the old military and samurai class and put in soldiers and new forms of government.  The old way, was filled with such an amazing life-style, lessons, philosophy, religion and martial arts protocol of honor, loyalty and discipline, the new way not so much. 

Our conversation cut to the "Karate Kid Movie" and the message behind the movie.  Just yesterday I talked about how I brought my students and their families to see the premier.  The message to me was very clear, unfortunately I do not think it was as clear to the students.  You see we are looked at differently in many peoples eyes.  They think what a martial art teacher does is a service.   The general mindset is they pay for the service and we provide the service.  Most think it is a clear cut relationship -  money in lessons out. 

In fact, that is so far from the truth.  I bantered a bit about how some of the parents in my school were talking about value, thinking that I was a little expensive for the Karate Kid night. Rather then rehash that - you can go back and read that post, I want to say, I can never repay my teachers in any way back for what I have learned good or bad. That is my giri (Loyalty) to my teachers.  This is what, the martial arts is missing in this modern day and age - Loyalty - Giri. 

We need to collectively stand our ground as this fiber of the martial arts is slowly degrading.  To me it prevalent in our society.  There is not a day goes by where someone doesn't talk about President Obama.  The only issue is they call him Obama.  In my opinion this is a blatant sign of disrespect.  After all whether you voted for him or not, like him or don't, he is our president and the leader of one of the greatest countries in the world.  If we don't talk about our leader with respect in the media, in our schools and in our households. How are our children ever going to be respectful.  In my humble opinion, I believe respect is a dieing art form.  I also believe people are respectful as long as it is convenient. 

We need to bring back the traditions of the martial arts, teaching our clients, parents of students and anyone whom we come in contact with this that what we do is not just like T-ball, soccer or another fun activity.  The martial arts is a life-style and not what you do, but who you become.  Lets stop moving forward in the same direction, lets get back to the basics and really implement change for the better.  I know we can do it!  Be the voice and educate people on the NEW WAY - which is the old way! Which is the NEW Way!