Haha, I guess that it’s around now that we stop saying “Happy New Year” when we someone for the first time in 2018.  Five days in, though, the year is still very new.  I have such great memories of the new year – and several relate to karate.

Waaay back, nearly 50 years ago, it was the cusp between the 1960’s and 1970’s.  I was a young freshman at the University of Hawaii, enjoying the holiday season and my first semester break from classes.  One fateful night, I called an old friend and classmate to wish him a Happy New Year.  He invited me to come over and talk story.  I drove over to his parents’ Pearl City home (hadn’t seen him in a year or two, as we went to different high schools) to wish him and his family Happy New Year as the world said goodbye to the 1960’s.  Years earlier, we trained in Aikido together but had lost touch with each other and the dojo by 1969.  While waiting for him in the living room, I noticed that there were several karate trophies on the stereo – with his name on them.  He had started training in Shotokan Karate and was a green/purple belt.  His brother (a black belt) invited me to come and visit the UH dojo whenever I had a chance and I promised that I would do so soon.  A short time later, however, I met a beautiful young high school senior, whose family had just returned from several years overseas.  Her older brother was my classmate and had also trained in Aikido with me years earlier.  This girl became the focus of my life, and all thoughts of karate dissipated from my mind.  In fact, it wasn’t until much later that year that I finally honored my promise to visit the UH Karate-Kai and (along with another friend, Sensei Peter) decided to give it a try.  We started so late in the year, that the first photo I have of myself in the karate gi, shows my girlfriend (now my wife) giving me a “karate chop” at the annual party my parents held each year, on…..New Year€™s Eve, 1970 – exactly one year after viewing my friend’s trophies.

So, 1970 proved to be a very special year, as I was introduced to two very important and life-long aspects of my life. It is my prayer that you and your families have most excellent and prosperous year in 2018 – and, may you continue to invest a portion of your busy lives to cultivating your mind, body and spirit through the Do of Karate.

Happy New Year!