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ninjanurse
KF VIP
Joined: 13 Feb 2003
Posts: 6154
Location: Upstate NY
Styles: TKD;Shotokan;JuJitsu;Tai Ji
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Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2015 7:08 am Post subject: KarateForums.com Turns 14 and a Half Years Old! |
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Aloha! As a martial artist, I have been blessed to have had some amazing teachers along the way who have all shared something in common (regardless of style) that has molded my character and guided the direction of my life. That commonality is the spirit of ALOHA (unconditional love) and OHANA (family) - two concepts that define relationships within the Hawaiian community and, by their very nature, have reached beyond the islands and taken root in many hearts and schools across the world.
However, all is not rosy in the martial arts "world," and we often see teachers who are only interested in money and power and spend a lot of energy closing off their students to other styles and ideas - forcing them to choose when they have no other experiences to draw upon. Hence, they remain isolated, and their martial education is limited. Their "family" remains closed off, and its members, naive and trusting, take on the same closed minded attitude of the teacher - falling deeper into the trap. With a skewed perception of reality, they are often confrontational and defensive; isolating themselves even more. I bet we all know of or have experienced a school or community (inside or outside of the martial arts) like this - yes?
I got lucky as my martial arts teachers all taught from the Spirit of Aloha and, rather than isolating us, they encouraged the sharing of ideas and stressed the importance of the martial arts family as a resource for support, friendships, and success. Reaching across the borders of style in friendship and authenticity so as not to offend but rather to defend the common ground we all share as martial artists. I, in turn, strive to come from that same place and pass the spirit of aloha to my students in the hopes that they too will learn its value and pass it on to their own families and the communities they affect outside the dojo. I work to build ohana within my local martial arts community and create opportunities for the spirit to grow in their schools too.
ALOHA is (A) kindness, expressed as tenderness and compassion; (L) unity and harmony - with ourselves and others; (O) being pleasant as we agree or disagree; (H) humility and modesty in our thoughts, actions and words; (A) exhibiting patience and perseverance as we give and receive.
Through OHANA we share a common bond: to build, support and protect our families and extended families. Through ALOHA, we build those relationships and share our values, vision education and energies through authenticity and compassion.
I see KarateForums.com as our OHANA, and I believe that it is the Aloha spirit that our members and staff possess that have made it so successful. It's guidelines are reflective of ALOHA and, through careful and thoughtful moderation, Patrick has guided this community to grow in the spirit it was intended and has kept it apart/above all other martial arts forums. He has never compromised - keeping us all on task with compassion and patience (lots of it!). As our community celebrates another half-birthday, I believe its continued success is the responsibility of us all to continue to participate and to serve... in the Spirit of Aloha!
_________________ "A Black Belt is only the beginning."
Heidi-A student of the arts
Tae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnis
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Patrick
KF Administrator
Joined: 01 May 2001
Posts: 28739
Location: Los Angeles, California
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bushido_man96
KF Sensei
Joined: 31 Mar 2006
Posts: 30167
Location: Hays, KS
Styles: Taekwondo, Combat Hapkido, Aikido, GRACIE, Police Krav Maga, SPEAR
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sensei8
KF Sensei
Joined: 23 Feb 2008
Posts: 16386
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Styles: Shindokan Saitou-ryu [Shuri-te/Okinawa-te based]
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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Powerful words, indeed, have never been written before, until now!! Great and solid post; way to announce KF's 14 years and a half, Heidi...AWESOME!!
_________________ **Proof is on the floor!!! |
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DWx
Black Belt
Joined: 17 Jan 2007
Posts: 6455
Location: UK
Styles: Tae Kwon Do & Yang family Tai Chi
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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Great message Heidi. Well said. _________________ "Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." ~ Confucius |
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Zaine
Black Belt
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 2275
Location: Dallas, TX
Styles: Matsumura-Seito, Shobayashi-Ryu, Shudokan, Long Fist, American Street Karate, Southern Mantis, HEMA
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Wastelander
KF Sensei
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 2730
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Styles: Shorin-Ryu, Shuri-Ryu, Judo, KishimotoDi
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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:16 am Post subject: |
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Well said, Heidi--thank you! _________________ Kishimoto-Di | 2014-Present | Sensei: Ulf Karlsson
Shorin-Ryu/Shinkoten Karate | 2010-Present: Yondan, Renshi | Sensei: Richard Poage (RIP), Jeff Allred (RIP)
Shuri-Ryu | 2006-2010: Sankyu | Sensei: Joey Johnston, Joe Walker (RIP)
Judo | 2007-2010: Gokyu | Sensei: Joe Walker (RIP), Ramon Rivera (RIP), Adrian Rivera
Illinois Practical Karate | International Neoclassical Karate Kobudo Society |
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tallgeese
Black Belt
Joined: 04 May 2008
Posts: 6879
Location: McHenry County, IL
Styles: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Bujin Bugei Jutsu, Gokei Ryu Kempo Jutsu, MMA, Shootfighting, boxing, kickboxing, JKD, Pekiti Tersia Kali
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