In September 1989, a chubby, pimple-faced geek afraid of the world was cruising the University of Miami student union looking for any excuse to keep him out of the dorms, where he had visions of being pantsed and given midnight swirlies. OK, fine, that was me.
I came upon a little flyer of Todd D. Jones, founder of the American Butotukan Society, who later became my master instructor in Tae Kwon Do and Aikido for four years. Eleven months later, I was teaching. I had confidence I never knew existed. I was in rock solid shape for the first time ever. Most of all, I learned the discipline it takes to stick with something, running the same form thousands of times knowing it would never be perfect, but at least it would be the best I could make it.
To this, Todd Jones, Eric Gregorisch, and all the amazing friends I made, I owe the motherload of everything I have achieved since then.
Tomorrow, Stephen Segal–Sensei extraordinaire but actor not so much–Turns 60. A true inspiration to a geeky, supposedly unathletic fledgling Hurricane, it makes me smile to remember how good he really is. Happy birthday Take Sensei.
Sometimes, it’s not what we methodically choose to put in our lives that makes a difference. Rather, it’s a moment when we lower our barriers to let the wildcards in because we know what we perceive to be reality just won’t do.