Anniversary.

[Mu Ryuk]

April 5th, 2004 to April 5th, 2005 may have been the fastest year of my life. One year ago tonight I returned to American Karate, and I haven't looked back since. It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.

Now here I am, one year later, and I am (not meaning to sound arrogant) one of the best students at the school. There are very few people who beat me in sparring, far fewer who can beat me on the ground. I'm probably one of the top three forms competitors we have, and in the top ten sparring competitors. I've lost fifty pounds and gained a will to push myself more than I ever thought possible. I know the thrill of victory and the dull, aching burn of defeat. I know how to end a fight with grace, a bow, a brotherly embrace and a "good fight", regardless of whether I win or lose.

I thank everyone here for the support given for my tests and tournaments, the advice given to my repetitive questions, and for simply putting up with my random, sometimes pointless posts. I thank you all, and stay tuned. Who knows what the next year will bring

I leave you all with a great quote:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt (26th U.S. president (1901-09), 1858-1919)

Tang Soo!

[Shorinryu Sensei]

April 5th, 2004 to April 5th, 2005 may have been the fastest year of my life. One year ago tonight I returned to American Karate, and I haven't looked back since. It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.

Now here I am, one year later, and I am (not meaning to sound arrogant) one of the best students at the school. There are very few people who beat me in sparring, far fewer who can beat me on the ground. I'm probably one of the top three forms competitors we have, and in the top ten sparring competitors. I've lost fifty pounds and gained a will to push myself more than I ever thought possible. I know the thrill of victory and the dull, aching burn of defeat. I know how to end a fight with grace, a bow, a brotherly embrace and a "good fight", regardless of whether I win or lose.

I thank everyone here for the support given for my tests and tournaments, the advice given to my repetitive questions, and for simply putting up with my random, sometimes pointless posts. I thank you all, and stay tuned. Who knows what the next year will bring

I leave you all with a great quote:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt (26th U.S. president (1901-09), 1858-1919)

Tang Soo!

Cool Mu Ryuk! Nice feeling, isn't it!

[Shorin Ryuu]

Stick with it, and those anniversaries will keep coming!

[aefibird]

Great!

Keep going!

[cathal]

I know exactly how you feel.

[monkeygirl]

Congrats! Keep improving and encouraging others to follow in your steps! Now that you're "one of the best", that puts you in a great role model position to lead others to the kind of improvement you have made. May you continue far and beyond mastery!

[Slydermv]

It's hard for me to believe that one year ago tonight, I came home feeling worthless, like I was complete crap, and like everyone would always be better than me, all those people who went through class easily, when I could hardly keep up.

Man... I remember that feeling...

And congrats... sounds like you have a really positive attitude.... keep it up!

[pittbullJudoka]

Congrats man I too am cooming upon my one year back in the practice of martial arts but unfortuniatly I won't be there because I'm off due to broken ribs.But I will return as soon as i heal

[aefibird]

Get well soon pittbullJudoka!

[Mu Ryuk]

Congrats man I too am cooming upon my one year back in the practice of martial arts but unfortuniatly I won't be there because I'm off due to broken ribs.But I will return as soon as i heal

Sorry to hear that man, but still, congratulations on one year back. I'm sure you'll come back stronger than ever!