Helen Keller a martial artist and warrior? Not in today’s lexicon. However,
Helen Keller is one of the greatest, strongest, most courageous, and
accomplished fighters and warriors in world history.
At nineteen months of age, Keller was stricken with a disease leaving her both
blind and deaf. Yet, she became a highly educated luminary of the human
spirit, a truly shining example of what it is to struggle and triumph. A
little online
research will
reveal her extraordinary life challenges, the intensity of which would dwarf
many of today’s vaunted athletes and personalities.
Studying martial arts certainly has its sufferings, especially if one
dedicates his life to it. In this light, one would be well-served to remember
the famous words of Lebanese-American author, painter and poet Khalil Gibran.
From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master.
In the wisdom of time
with its messages ageless,
the pinnacle of all is that Character Must Precede Prowess.
The first essential step to a spiritual life is character. One may deceive
one’s friends, relatives and even oneself, but the Power within is not
deceived.
For he who is honest is noble, whatever his fortunes or birth.
Having been studying and working diligently, Judy “Striker” Gompf is poised to
achieve her Purple Belt ranking in the near future. Her basic KIA
fundamentals, fighting skills, and kata proficiency are progressing extremely
well. We look forward to witnessing her next test and then on and beyond,
working up the ladder to The Wall.
Striker, a mother of two children, has multiple collegiate degrees. Serving
the SoCal area, she is a “Veterans Approved” agent for Keller Williams Realty
(her business card is below).
Karate Institute of America Orange Belt Aidan “Smasher” Ligtvoet is expanding
his wide interests to include horsemanship and settling in to the cowboy
lifestyle. Here he is at the rail with his new equine buddy while he’s all
duded up in boots, jeans, kerchief and riding helmet. Dig those glasses, too.
Looking cool, man!
Catching a rear side look at a young man and his horse. Smasher is extremely
smart, loves horses, and will make a great equestrian. He’s attentive to every
little detail and has done a lot of reading and research into horses and how
to care for them.
