There are many heroes that live in our community, such as firemen, military personnel, police officers, swat team members, etc. who step forward when duty calls. They have embedded in them the values that the martial arts can teach youngsters such as truth, justice, service and the importance of standing up for what you believe in. Our society currently has a tendency to draw attention to anti-heroes, who often garner publicity for their less than helpful actions, and yet are sometimes held up as role models through some video games, television shows and movies. Children are being taught that violence and greed are the way to achieve status and position in society. It is vitally important that another message is put forward as an alternative and that message can be given through the medium of the martial arts.

Getting engaged to a course of study is challenging. Most courses of study are designed to improve us in some way. When we are setting out to improve ourselves, there can be resistance. The conscious part of us has chosen the particular course. Yet, in the subconscious, we will begin to want to go back to our less challenged ways.

Excuses to avoid the class will come in. (Whatever excuse a human is capable of thinking up will apply). The conscious mind will slowly begin listening to the excuse and validating it. The freedom of being less challenged can begin to sound better and better. This is particularly true if the course of study is offering a means to learn how to become better able to meet challenges and train the conscious mind. Do we think the subconscious is going to let itself be conquered so easily?

Can we admit to ourselves that in the past we may have dropped out of a few too many classes that may well have changed our lives if we’d stuck with them. Then, early on in a new course, we could prepare ourselves for the onslaught of resistance that can creep in.

It is a good idea to "get engaged". Just as one might get engaged to a future spouse, a commitment of intention must be spoken out loud to oneself.

Before I left, Mr. Mason established guidelines for me, in terms of styles of karate that would compliment Mu-Do-Kai and areas of my own techniques that need strengthening. I spent the first six months of my "vacation" in a large mid-western city. After speaking to every master of the few martial arts schools in the area, I could not find one that met my needs. Most of the schools either catered to children or were of the "blood sport" variety. The latter, when I observed their sparring classes, were particularly brutal.

In February, our home in the Bradenton area was completed, so I began my quest anew. The results were very surprising to me. The schools are not operated on a professional basis. By that I mean the Dojo is a second profession for the instructors who hold down full-time jobs during the day. That means no daytime classes and they also have no weekend classes. Since most of the schools are comprised of only one Dojo, there is a set regime with no choices for the students. Also because of space limitations beginner and advanced students can attended no more than three classes a week. I find that a motivated student cannot get an intense workout with this type of limited schedule. My own profession has somewhat irregular hours so I could easily go weeks without being able to train. Mr. Mason is now in the process of establishing a training schedule for me with people he knows in the area. Also because completing my Black Belt is very important to me, I will also be coming back periodically to South Florida to train.

In true Mu-Do-Kai tradition, several friends and colleagues at UKC have volunteered to come in while I’m in town to give me extra practice.