The Journey, not the Destination

In one week, seven days, I will be a seminary graduate. In three weeks - roughly - I will get to train at my dojo twice a week instead of just once. I cannot say how ecstatic I am ... It's been a bit over a year since I started up with Goju Ryu. I still have so much to learn and I've grown antsy to focus on this instead of seminary work. Not that what I was learning in seminary isn't terribly important - it is. And my Master of Divinity is crucial to the work I have been called to. But karate is my refuge. Karate saved my life when I was in high school and struggling with the effects of familial alcoholism. Karate saved me in my early twenties when I couldn't see a way through what I was going to do for a living. Karate saved my life when I was recovering from the domestic violence I suffered during my previous marriage. Karate saved me when I remarried and our respective ex-spouses kept us in and out of court with custody battles. Karate saved my life whe

Wow. It's been quite a while. Seminary has taken precedence over my blogging, but not my training. In Sept 2017, I switched dojos - due to moving too far away from my dojo of the previous ten years. Even as I am frustrated with how many times I have moved and had to switch dojos, I am pumped about where I am now. I am studying Goju Ryu - from the very beginning. I am grateful beyond belief that my new Sensei has allowed me to keep my sandan rank. So - this morning, instead of my usual yoga/stretching routine outside on my back deck, I went through all of my new kata, a bunkai, and a renzoku. Mind you - I've only learned the patterns, not the essences. I share this list as much for you as for me to remember. Gekisai Dai Ichi Gekisai Dai Ni Geki Ha Kaka Ha Saifa Jin Choi Seiyunchin Gesaku Sho I'm still learning the patterns for Sanseru and Tensho. Y'all. My heart is full of energy and excitement and joy as I learn new techniques, new patterns, and new w