When you were born, do you remember anyone ever telling you that you would need courage to survive and manage the challenges, hardships, calamities and exigencies of your life? No? Me either. As we live through the upheavals of the coronavirus pandemic; the oft changing and bizarre dictatorial edicts of power-obsessed mayors and governors; the frustrating and ceaseless reversals of scientific assessments and, in the United States, the senseless, wanton, hate-driven destruction of life and property during the riots across America, how does one cope with such needless and lunatical madness without going mad?

As we all clearly know, “social distancing” has ingrained itself into the global community in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ensure personal safety. Too, as all Kiado-Ryu students know, “Distance” is the #1 Security Principle in self-defense. This is continually driven into every KIA student’s mindset. However, distance is usually regarded as physical and defined as “external.” Yet, there is another type of distance which is, perhaps, even more critical in self-defense situations … “internal” distance.

Every one of the sixty-four Black Belts of the Karate Institute of America knows it. Every person who has become successful in any line of endeavor knows it, and those individuals who want to survive the coronavirus pandemic, as well as its aftermath, need to know it if they don’t already. Do you know what “it” is? Luck? Good luck with that. Hope? A nice thought but hope is just a belief, not a characteristic.

First, a thanks to Brian Doll for sharing this sad but powerful image of vehicles lined up at SDCCU (San Diego County Credit Union) Stadium, vehicles whose occupants are waiting in search of food provided graciously and generously by the local food bank “Feeding San Diego.” This image is not uncommon. Across the nation other communities are experiencing the same problem, vehicles, often lined up for miles, patiently waiting for sustenance.

COVID-19 is a virus, but it’s also an enemy, an invisible and lethal enemy. As the whole world knows, COVID-19 is humanity’s #1 enemy at this moment in human history. Truly, we are at war. COVID-19 struck quickly and powerfully in a blitzkrieg that has, like 9/11, changed the world. It will be defeated but not until it has done more damage. In its aftermath, we would be wise to reassess why so many countries around the world, if not every country, was caught off-guard.

During this global pandemic of COVID-19 with its attendant turmoil and concern, it is vital for all humanity—individuality and collectively—to remain “balanced” and not allow the virus, or any other calamitous situation for that matter, to dictate our disposition. When we lose our balance, we put ourselves in a perilous situation. Uncomfortable? Of course, but Imperative to manage and control. This is why “Balance is Primary” is a fundamental life principle, not simply a martial arts precept.

Joan of Arc is, arguably, the most famous female warrior in history. There are others, of course, but her name is legend. You can read more about her life here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc One of the stellar traits of great leaders is their positive and uplifting spirit, a spirit that energizes and motivates others to rise to the occasion and do great things. The following succinct and powerful quote from Joan of Arc reflects such positivity.

Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) is one of the most vaunted, heroic and inspirational Royal Navy Commanders in British history. Beset with health problems all his personal life, and besieged with battle after battle in his military life, Lord Nelson remains the epitome of courage, bravery and toughness. In honor of his contribution to Britain’s remarkable legacy, a statue of Nelson adorns Trafalgar Square in London. When Nelson stated, Never break the neutrality of a port or place, but never consider as neutral any place from whence an attack is allowed to be made.

The following snippet is from the movie, Enter The Dragon. The fight, with Lee on the left and the bad guy on the right, begins as pictured. Based on Kiado-Ryu fighting theory, there is a major problem here, a problem in fact that violates the Number One Security of combat. What is it? Figured it out yet? The bad guy seems like he knows what he’s doing. After all, he is wearing a black belt, right?