Leave a Legacy
People come into our lives at different times to teach us lessons. I firmly believe this. Every November, when we celebrate my son’s birthday, I am reminded of one very special person who has greatly and indelibly impacted our family’s lives.
Sunday evening after the first week of Kindergarten for our guy, I get a call from his teacher. A public school kindergarten teacher is calling me on a weekend after just a few short days of being my son’s teacher. What is going on? After a quick but tear-filled conversation, she explains that our guy is an awesome kid, but he really needs to understand when it’s time to focus vs. play. She suggested we look into karate or martial arts. I knew nothing about martial arts, but I also never anticipated getting a call from our teacher week 1.
We stumbled upon a dojo that was not necessarily close to home (20-25 minute drive) and it definitely wasn’t cheap. But we hit it off with the Sensei and thought we’d give it a go.
It might go down as the best decision we ever made for the lasting impact it’s had on our guy’s discipline and for the last impact Sensei Danny has had on our guy’s confidence.
Sensei taught our family about the value of “bowing in” and respecting the focus time when it’s time to work. He gave us the language with work with our guy outside of the dojo on focus.
Sensei taught us that we have power with our hands, but we should seek peace first.
Sensei helped our guy channel his energy, strength, and power into a discipline that is both beautiful and lethal. It helped show our guy how to be confident in most situations because he’s strong enough and he knows how to use force to get what he needs, but he also has the skills to get the result without being physical.
Sensei also offered our guy the chance to mentor other students new to the dojo. And that teaching someone else helps him learn and master his skills more intimately. This is when our coach’s kid got his first taste of coaching, teaching, and leading, even at the ripe young age of 7 or 8.
Sensei challenged our guy to be his best, to learn, to push his limits, and to have fun while he’s doing it. You can be productive, powerful, and enjoy the journey.
Our guy was testing for his Brown belt in Shaolin Kempo discipline of Karate when Sensei moved his dojo a bit too far away. But his impact is still felt.
We see the discipline in our guy in his studies. When it’s time to study, he “bows in” and sets his mind to focus.
We see his hand movement on the field, with quick hands to shed a block or decisive motion to intercept a pass.
We see his innate belief in right and wrong when he stands up for marginalized people, when he chooses to stand up for himself or others, when he chooses to use his words instead of his fists despite having the know how to use power.
And we are reminded of Sensei Danny’s impact every November when he reaches out to wish our guy a happy birthday. 7 years removed from our last lesson at the dojo, and both Sensei and our guy have a connection. Sensei’s legacy is felt firmly with his compassion, caring, and passion for his students.
If anyone is in the PQ area of San Diego, looking for a dojo or for a great human being to support your family, check out Sensei’s Team Focus. It’ll be the best decision you could make.
