Things are not always what they seem. Sometimes, the lessons we learn as the gospel truth, later turn out to be true, but only within a certain context. For example, a simple word will usually have more than one meaning. One of the earliest instances of multiple meanings I can recall is the number 2, which we learn is, “two”, but also sounds like “to”, and “too” too (haha). But that is not not what I meant by the title “one plus one doesn’t always equal two”. Waaay back, about 50 years ago, we seventh graders were all surprised when they started teaching us the “New Math” (precursor to higher mathematics back in the sixties) and first heard about the binary system (so important to computer language today). On the first day, our teacher stated that in some instances, 1 plus 1 didn’t equal 2! We all wondered how could that be? As most adults know, the rules for the binary system are not necessarily the same as the conventional decimal system that kids are familiar with (kids, the binary system only contains 0’s and 1’s, haha). And that was just the first of so many revelations in our later [...]

Well, congratulations are in order – one of our brown belts was just awarded his black belt; the first one given out in our dojo in about seven years….it has been a while since the last in-house promotion to shodan. You see, the majority of black belts in our current lineup, achieved their dans before they ever visited our class….some, a very long time ago. Sempais Kevin, Elton, and Cheryl made it some 10 years ago, Sensei Trish and Sempai James – over 20 years ago, for me – it was exactly 40 years ago, and my old friends Sensei Peter – 41 years ago, and Sensei Wayne – 42 years ago. What amazes me the most, is that these senior members of our group continue to faithfully train and teach till this day, representing so many years of effort, focus, and patience. I am so blessed to be associated with karateka of their high character and dedication to learning and sharing the art. Karate students often imagine that their highest goal is make it to the first level black belt or shodan…actually, what it really means, is that one has merely learned the abc’s, basic grammar, words and phrasing [...]

One of my favorite movies is the Bill Murray comedy, “Groundhog Day”. You know; the one that keeps on having the same scenes repeat again and again, but a little different each time? If you’ve ever seen it, it’s about the protagonist (Murray) getting stuck into reliving the same day again and again for what must have been many years. It’s funny and entertaining – and yet, thought-provoking on many different levels. He starts out, realizing that he’s trapped into repeating the same day in a little town, and each time that the clock clicks to 06:00 am, the entire day restarts again, no matter what has occurred during the previous 24 hours. How long he’s trapped in that one day is anyone’s guess (my feeling is many decades, possibly a hundred years or more). Along the way, he goes from frustration, to trying to get rid of himself in desperation (doesn’t work), to exploring different uses/abuses of power, to trying to get a gal he loves to fall for him (doesn’t work)…to finally accepting his situation and seeing the opportunity that has been presented to him. He moves from being self-centered to caring for those around him. He realizes [...]