As long as history repeats itself, there will always be bold new endeavors. The young man I mentioned last month was a history-maker, at least in my eyes. His endeavors apparently struck a chord-I'm still thinking, AND writing, about it twenty years later. And not unlike the natural process of childbirth, new organizations rarely emerge without experiencing the trauma of birth pains. The travail of humiliation, rejection, fear of the unknown or simply being misunderstood has never kept the true visionary from keeping his hands to the plow. In most cases, whether it was a solitary figure with the pioneering spirit or "the chosen few", dreams fulfilled ultimately benefitted multitudes or generations who NEVER had to experience firsthand the hardships of breaking new ground or blazing new trails.
      One of my favorite illustrations in the greatest history book tells of a young man who was on the run because his God-given birthright as king of a nation was being challenged by the existing ruler who had proven himself incompetent. And it was said of young King David-"and everyone who was in distress- and everyone who was discontented gathered to him, and he became their leader and captain over them."

     Our history books are full of the same examples. People who saw need for change and did something about it. Opposition only fueled the refining fire to make the process more noble-more obvious that change was not only apparent, but necessary.

       In closing, I will say as an American Kyokushin practitioner and instructor of many fine students, and I say this unashamedly:

        Were it not for Shihan Monaco and Hanshi Arneil, I would have had nowhere to go, not only for the finest instruction but for the camaraderie and genuine fellowship that Sosai himself dreamed of seeing established here in the U.S. Shihan Monaco is my King David. So are Shihan Greg, Sensei Scott and the many trail blazers that have put everyone else's challenges above their own. Life is richer because of people like these.

       Whose King David are you?


                                                                                                                                                                        Osu
                                                                                                                                                              Shihan Ellis Weber
                                                                                                                                                   Founder and Senior  instructor
                                                                                                                                                    Eaglewings Kyokushin karate